Stoo
Well-known member
This past weekend, I returned from a trip to Italy in which the highlight was
visiting the ruins of Pompeii. The magnificent spread of the site far exceeded
any expectations and its endless network of excavated buidings and streets
is so extensive that we were completely overwhelmed. Sculptured marble and
remarkable, preserved frescoes were met with at every turn. There was also
no shortage of fanatically detailed mosaics hidden away amongst an intricate
web of rooms and doorways. All of this at rest beneath the striking presence
of mighty Vesuvius - her cloud-covered crest obscured by the lingering fog.
The thick, cobblestone roads bore countless, long grooves in them where
wheel tracks had worn into the stone. These crumbled causeways fingered
through over to the equally impressive, grand arena and amphitheatres.
Each one evoked glimpses of the bustling life present in a 2000-year-old
metropolis.
Photos of the victim's bodies have always fascinated me so I was a tad
dismayed that there weren't too many about. The dozen or so that I did
manage to see satisfied my, somewhat, morbid desire to gaze into faces
of the ancient dead. There was one in particular where you could virtually
see the horrifying expression of the man, captured in time from his last,
living moments.
At one point I thought about the night my mother showed me an article
on Pompeii from National Geopraphic in the early '70s (when I was wee lad,
it was apparently a boom-time for the excavations). Thus, my introduction
to the tragic tale had spurred my curiousity over the years and it felt good
to be there actually walking through the streets and alleys. Achieving the
chance to finally manifest one of life's wishes like that was exhilarating.
At 10 Euros per head, the entrance fee was a bargain and a 2 hour guide
cost the same. My troupe and I did some investigating on our own as well
but the 6hr. tour must be well worth it since there is so much to absorb.
I shot some video so, if time is good to me, I may post some stills.
Anyone else visit Pompeii?
visiting the ruins of Pompeii. The magnificent spread of the site far exceeded
any expectations and its endless network of excavated buidings and streets
is so extensive that we were completely overwhelmed. Sculptured marble and
remarkable, preserved frescoes were met with at every turn. There was also
no shortage of fanatically detailed mosaics hidden away amongst an intricate
web of rooms and doorways. All of this at rest beneath the striking presence
of mighty Vesuvius - her cloud-covered crest obscured by the lingering fog.
The thick, cobblestone roads bore countless, long grooves in them where
wheel tracks had worn into the stone. These crumbled causeways fingered
through over to the equally impressive, grand arena and amphitheatres.
Each one evoked glimpses of the bustling life present in a 2000-year-old
metropolis.
Photos of the victim's bodies have always fascinated me so I was a tad
dismayed that there weren't too many about. The dozen or so that I did
manage to see satisfied my, somewhat, morbid desire to gaze into faces
of the ancient dead. There was one in particular where you could virtually
see the horrifying expression of the man, captured in time from his last,
living moments.
At one point I thought about the night my mother showed me an article
on Pompeii from National Geopraphic in the early '70s (when I was wee lad,
it was apparently a boom-time for the excavations). Thus, my introduction
to the tragic tale had spurred my curiousity over the years and it felt good
to be there actually walking through the streets and alleys. Achieving the
chance to finally manifest one of life's wishes like that was exhilarating.
At 10 Euros per head, the entrance fee was a bargain and a 2 hour guide
cost the same. My troupe and I did some investigating on our own as well
but the 6hr. tour must be well worth it since there is so much to absorb.
I shot some video so, if time is good to me, I may post some stills.
Anyone else visit Pompeii?
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