Jen Kaufman
October 23, 1995 - aboard Concordia
Reflections on Pompeii
We rode a bus from Naples to Pompeii, an ancient city preserved by volcanic ash caused by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Pompeii was larger than I had imagined. Although we were there for two hours, we did not see even close to everything. Few areas had been restored and only some had been completely explored by archaeologists. The streets were narrow and similar. It was obvious a lot of time was spent planning the roads because they followed a pattern. It was exciting trying to imagine life at that time in history. There were plaster casts formed around skeletons of people who had died in Pompeii at the time of the eruption, 2000 years ago. The figures were frozen in their struggle, with tight muscles and awkward positions. Some were clutching their mouths and necks while others had their faces buried in their arms and knees. The shapes were very real and full of emotion.
The next day we traveled to Mount Vesuvius, the cause of Pompeii's destruction. Because we had already seen Pompeii, we understood the power of this volcano. We drove up part of the mountain and then the road stopped. The trail continued on as a footpath up to the crater. We reached the top where the inside of the crater could be admired. There were some areas where steam was coming out from the rocks. Naples could also be viewed from the height we had reached. There was much to see from where we stood. Many of us wished for a panoramic camera to capture the view. I admired it for so long that I think I captured the scene forever in my memory.
Shannon James
10/23/95 aboard Concordia
Naples, Italy
When we pulled into Naples, Italy I knew I was in for the adventure of a life time. From our boat the city looked beautiful. You could see Mount Vesuvius in the distance along with the bustling streets of Naples. Italy, at this point in my trip, was my favorite port. From the hike up Mount Vesuvius to our visit to the ancient city of Pompeii, I had the time of my life.
Our first day in Naples was awful. We were taking mid-term exams onboard the ship. The second day, on the other hand, was fun. First thing in the morning, we boarded for a quick tour around Naples and then to a museum full of artifacts that were found mostly in Pompeii. The museum was amazing. The things that struck me the most were the intricate mosaics made out of tiny little pieces of glass that had been uncovered many years after the eruption. After the museum, we returned home and a few of us went out for dinner. Italian pizza is the best in the world.
With our guide, Pinot, we went to visit the ancient city of Pompeii on our third day in Naples. The ancient city was about a half hour drive away. Pompeii was amazing. Two thousand years ago Mount Vesuvius erupted, and all the ash and poisonous gas from the volcano killed everyone in the city. They even have some of the skeletons of people who lived in Pompeii two thousand years ago. After sleeping on the bus the whole way home, a couple of friends and I pulled our usual routine and went out for dinner. This time we had pasta. It was so good. After dinner we went wandering around town and did a little shopping. Two days of fun, one more to go.
On the fourth day in Naples we climbed Mount Vesuvius. It was a long hike up, and it seemed even longer because it was nine o'clock in the morning. Once we made it to the top, the view of the crater and of Naples was spectacular. We hiked back down and hopped on the bus. We all went for lunch in a large restaurant with another bus load of older tourists. Our next stop was a smaller version of Pompeii, called Herculaneum. That night we ate dinner onboard and while I was sleeping we set sail for the island of Malta.
Michelle Discepola
10/23/95 aboard Concordia
Naples and Pompeii
I am going to write about ancient Pompeii. This city was only a twenty or so minute drive from Naples. I had heard of Pompeii but did not know exactly what to expect.
At the entrance there was a big sign that told us we were entering Pompeii. Our tour guide explained to us that around two thousand years ago this village was destroyed by the eruption of a volcano called Mount Vesuvius. We could see the skeletons of the people who had died so many years ago. We entered the village and it was bigger than I had imagined. The village had basilicas, temples, homes, stores and roman baths. Two of us went off and explored a bit, we came back quite happy. We had found human and animal bones, I picked up a thumb bone and a jaw with the teeth still in it.
My overall experience in Pompeii was definitely an enjoyable one. The entire visit I kept trying to imagine myself as one of the people who died in Pompeii when the volcano erupted. It must have been quite frightening!
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