For some reason I never imagined you actually can walk through a whole city. I thought it was going to be more like a outdoor museum with a few plaster skeletons, I never imagined streets with the original stones, you can see the " cafes" of the time, their ovens their sinks, the stairs , many original fountains. It's all still there. It's amazing really! It was a huge city and so much of it is still so much in tact. They even had a gym and sauna and bath house.
The most memorable place though was the brothel. As we walked through our tour guide pointed out the fresco paintings on each room advertising each prostitutes " specialty". The boys giggled like crazy on that part of the tour. The beds were still in the rooms. Stone beds. Cole said " that couldn't have been very comfortable" These people were perverts, our tour guide pointed out a huge carved penis in the side of a wall and pointed out that it was pointing the way to one of the many brothels. The kids of course laughed hysterically at that one too, while all the other guests oohed and awed at the stone penis and took pictures.
The temple area was also fascinating. A huge temple was devoted to their main god , Jupiter. He was believed to be the protector of the city. Ironically mt. Vesuvius was in perfect view behind the broken down temple which Lay helplessly in ruins with the volcano staring down at it. I could almost hear laughter from the mountain.
The amount of artifacts you are able to view in close range is astonishing. To see the people who died so long ago , cocooned into plaster it was hard to imagine they were real people like us. There was even a dog who died and he had a collar on.
It was a fascinating place for sure and anyone who digs history will for sure love to visit here. 
I LOVE your honesty Missy with all that you are feeling while there!!! It always makes me feel better when I hear that our family isn't the only one struggling with getting along.....I guess that's just how it is! \
ReplyDeleteI also know that feeling of loving to travel and experience new things but just being home sounds so comforting and familiar. Your time there is quickly coming to an end so enjoy every last bit of it.....soon you will be with your dear friends in Sweden and then home with all your friends here. We ALL can't wait to see you!!!!\
And I totally understand what you wrote about the Italian drivers.....truly terrifying!!! It's amazing there are not more accidents!\
We are getting ready to attend our Regional Convention (not called district conventions anymore....not sure if you heard the letter read about that) and we will be staying with Chris and Kate...plus the Johnson's will be there too. We will all be talking about how much we wish you were with us but at the same time so happy that you are having the trip of a lifetime....okay the 2nd trip of a lifetime. :))\
Love you all!!!!}
Ok I have read everything up to this point....I think this would be an awesome movie...I mean they have done vacation movies. You have touched every emotion, I have laughed, cried, gotten angry over the rude people, how dare they to one of the most loving family...hey if this is made into a movie...you can live anywhere you like until Jehovah's new world!!!! Hope to see you soon. Love ya!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Oida!!! And we must get together when we get back!!! We've got some chaperoning to do ... Wink wink
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