Amalfi Coast and Pompeii

We were picked up by Luca on this day! 

He took us for a drive on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

These little towns were built on the side of cliffs.

We stopped for sip and a bite

How cute was Anita's tea pot! 

This eclair was divine! 

Lunch was in Sorrento 

We loved to check out where the locals shop

This market was so vibrant with color!

I was about to squeeze the lemons when I noticed a sign saying

"DON'T squeeze the fruit" 

I guess it's too inviting! 

We brought home a delicious Parmesan wedge.

We found a fire roasted Pizza place

It was half calzone and half pizza! 

Mount Vesuvius...

I have waited my whole life to check this out

(this and the pyramids...)

This volcano erupted August 24, 79 AD

It covered this city in 11 meters of ash 

and 

killed thousands of people

It was 12 square kilometers when it was covered. 

They have only uncovered a portion of the area so far.

Their streets were 'paved' with stones

These were walk ways between sidewalks

allowing 

chariots to pass through and people to walk across

You can see the wear marks from the chariot wheels 

The Romans were INCREDIBLE builders. 

Look at these floors!!

Murals

The theater

It is said that these people were small and short 

but 

why would they build the shelves so high?

They had plumbing in 79 AD!!!!

They didn't know the lead pipes were killing them 

but

seriously...Plumbing!! 

They have unearthed many of the deceased.

They fill the cavity with plaster in order to get a cast 

before 

digging the rest of the body out.

They suspect this causality was a woman as she had a baby bulge. 

They had 2000 casts at one time 

but

lost many to bombing in World War 2

There were taverns and shops of all kinds

This was a tavern with the wine vessels in the back. 

Court yards

The male anatomy represented power to them 

so 

lots of engravings like this...

The mosaic floors were incredible. 

Their road building skills are something to learn from! 

This house had a beautiful back yard with fountains 

and

gardens. 

These were the Roman baths with their amazing hot water spas

This was a very modern city! 

We just don't build things like this anymore. 

So much architectural style!

We didn't see many cats in our journey at all

This cat was a resident of Pompeii ruins. 

The guy in front of us was petting him! 

I think he loved cats... 

And probably dogs as he had a bulldog on the other calf! 

They still have acres of Pompeii to uncover 

and

 have preserved it for future digs. 

I was in awe of all I saw. 

By the end of this day, I thought I was DONE! 

My feet were killing me 

and

I was exhausted but pushed through it.

After all.... when will I get back to Pompeii??

Then my mom sent me a picture of my dad's ankle! 

He broke it riding his dirt bike that day! 

My feet felt alot better after that! 

lol

He's on the mend!

Should be back up and running in a few weeks! 

Christa