Pompeii- the Final Day 13

September 16

Pompeii

On our last day we decided to take a day trip to see the ancient city of Pompeii.  Its about a 2 hour train ride to Naples and then a half hour train ride to Pompeii. On our ride to Pompeii we were on a really crowded train ride, and looking back I fell into the classic scenario for pick picketers.  They maneuvered me away from Brad and into the middle of the train.  Of course at the time it didn't feel like that it just felt like we were on a busy train, but nonetheless after the train had quieted down I noticed that my purse was fully unzipped and my phone was missing.  Of course on our last day I had forgotten to lock my purse.  I was sick to my stomach.

When we first arrived in Pompeii Brad and I found a wifi spot and with his phone deactivated mine so the thieves couldn't rake up charges, as well as change my passwords to everything.  It was extremely heartbreaking to lose all those pictures we had taken throughout the trip, but thankful that most of our pictures where on my camera and also that they didn't take anything else that was in my purse.

So having my phone stolen kindof put a sour note on the trip, but we really did enjoy Pompeii.

Pompeii was an ancient Roman town that was buried in ash following the eruption of mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.  For this reason Pompeii is one of the most preserved ancient Roman cities.  

Pompeii's Temple of Jupiter with Vesuvius in the background.

The volcano isn't as close to the city as I thought it would be.  Its a good 5 or so miles away.

listening to our walking tour.  We did the walking tour that Pompeii had to offer and wasn't nearly as good as the walking tours we had downloaded, but since my phone was stolen...

One of the first known fast food places.  The holes in the countertops was where they put their jars of food and underneath was hot coals to keep the food warm.

How they decorated their walls.

Is it horrible to be fascinated by such a tragic event?  In this pyramid (which is in the middle of the arena) was where the plaster cast exhibit was held. 

When pompeii was rediscovered and excavations began in the 1800's archeologists found occasional voids in the ash layer that contained human remains.  One archeologist realized these spaces were left by the decomposed bodies and devised the technique of injecting plaster into them to recreate the haunting forms of Vesuvius victims.

the tortured bodies of those who didn't escape in time.  In 2010 a study proved that the 2,000 victims of Vesuvius died from extreme heat rather then suffocation from ash as previously thought.

This couple breaks my heart.  

As does this mother with her children.

the best preserved ancient amphitheater.

a beautiful courtyard with a fireplace in the background left from an old house.

Inside one of the rooms to the house

The hot baths.  Reminded us of Turkey and the Hamams.  Very similar.

A storage room of some of the ancient artifacts.

and then they left this haunting figure next to the clay pots.

as well as the body of this 4 year old boy.

 On the train ride back to Naples we drove right under this active volcano.  It was spurting steam everywhere, and is expected to erupt any day.

From Naples we took the train back to Rome so we could catch our flight early the next day.  On our train ride we sat next to a Canadian.  It was fun talking to him and one of the things that he brought up in our conversation was what we thought of Donald Trump running in the presidential election.  He was not the only person to ask us this during our trip and it surprised me at how many people from different countries follow our politics, mostly because I don't follow other countries politics and wonder why they would follow ours.  I asked him this and he said its because America is going to take over the world.  I was a little surprised by that, but really everywhere we went they listened to American music. Talked in English, watch our Hollywood movies.  At least in regards to the entertainment industry I guess we are taking over.

Our trip was definitely a dream come true.  We saw so many places that I had always dreamed of going, but never thought I would, and we went to places that I'd never even thought of going too.  Italy is a place that everyone must go to in their lifetime!

Its been a hard year, and this was a much needed getaway for Brad and I to celebrate and to reconnect. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Rome: Day 12

September 15

Borghese Gallery

Although it was a small museum inside held wonderful collections, especially by Bernini.  We had to reserve tickets in advance and you are only allowed a 2 hour set time.  Our hotel was right next to the garden, so we didn't think it would take long, but we got lost in the garden/park trying to find it and lost some precious time.  We had a little over an hour to see the museum, but thankfully it was enough time to see everything.

Bernini.  I think this one was my favorite.  The Rape of Prosperpine shows Pluto (the god of the underworld) taking the beautiful daughter of the earth goddess as his bride.  Bernini was only 24 years old when he created this masterpiece!

You can see Pluto's fingers digging into her body as tears run down her face.  Its truly incredible!  and a beautiful piece of art.

Bernini's Aeneas.  Aeneas home of Troy is in flames and he escapes with the three most important things: his family, his household gods, and the eternal flame.  

Caravaggio: David and Goliath.  Caravaggio painted himself as Goliath's severed head.

Caravaggio's painting of Michelangelo.

Pauline Bonaparte as Venus.  Napoleon's sister was the muse for Canova's Venus.  This sculpture was fascinating for the fact of the different textures that were used.  The mattress looks rumpled, but her skin is smooth.

Bernini's David.  In this self portrait, Bernini's David acts compared to Michelangelo's thinking David. 

David's face is concentrated and he's ready to take down his target-Goliath.

Bernini's Apollo and Daphne.  Apollo struck by Cupids arrow of love, chases after Daphne who was struck by the arrow of disgust.  Just as Apollo is about to catch her, she calls for her father to save her.  So Daphne starts to turn into a tree.  Its hard to see in the pictures (no flash is allowed) but her fingers are turning into leaves.  The details on this piece is truly amazing!

Bernini's two self portraits.  A younger Bernini age 25 and the next is an older and more confident 35 year old.

Raphael's Deposition.  Jesus is being taken off the cross while the women support Mary (purple)

Raphael's signature

Titian's Sacred and Profane Love.  The naked women on the right embodies sacred love while the material girl represents profane love.

Bernini's Goat Amalthea with the Child Jupiter and a Faun.  Bernini was 12!  12 years old when he created this.  A cardinal saw this and said that Bernini would be the Michelangelo of his day.

The Borghese Museum was truly amazing and my favorite museum (next to the Vatican) that we went to the whole trip.  I just love Bernini's work!

Spanish Steps

That night we sat on the Spanish steps while we waited to get into a Jazz club.  We listened as the guys behind us played Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and other such classics.  We saw a couple get engaged (and it infuriated us that one of the annoying street sellers gave the new fiance a bouquet of roses and then chased after them trying to get money.  We wanted to smash that bouquet of roses over that sellers head. jerk) and just enjoyed the night air in Rome.
(the only picture I have of the spanish steps all the others were on my phone)

 We went to Jazz club to listen to amazing music.