First, I would be remiss as a blogger if I didn’t make some comment regarding who is at fault for Katrina. I don’t really feel like doing that right now though, so I’ll save it for another post.
Two days ago we did Pompeii and yesterday we did Rome. I still maintain that Naples is a dirty city, but I only saw a needle on the ground once. In all fairness to Naples, it probably used to be a nice city. Unlike Rome and Paris however, nothing separates the dirt from the Duomo (literally). If you’re planning on seeing Italy, I think that Naples could probably be missed. Additionally, and this is probably to be expected, if you’re going to travel, make it a Sunday. Naples, and I assume the rest of Italy, shuts down on Sundays. Over the last couple days, we’ve seen a little more of Naples, and it was (somewhat) cleaner than it was on Sunday. I can only assume that they put their trash out on Friday and that it is picked up on Monday. I disagree with their decision on this matter, but that being said, Monday night most of the garbage (in piles) had been picked up. Now on to Pompeii.
Pompeii was amazing. A lot of the guide books suggested going to Ercolano instead (as it was more intact), but Pompeii was definitely worth a trip. From what I gather, Pompeii is much bigger than Ercolano. It was the size that I found staggering. This place is enormous. Seriously, it is bigger than I ever imagined. The only real surprise I found was that the statute of the fawn in the fawn house was quite small. Perhaps the most amazing thing there are the three theaters. The amphitheater is enormous. It is at least two stories on the outside, perhaps three, and dug down two stories into the ground. Standing in the center of that amphitheater would have been daunting indeed. The two theaters were amazing as well. Perhaps the most impressive thing is the distance away from Vesuvius that Pompeii is. It really makes you think about how easy it really is to get away from a volcano should an eruption begin.
Yesterday we did Rome. Rome was definitely impressive. The first thing we went to see was Vatican City. I really wanted a VC stamp on my passport, but we came away empty handed. One thing that I think everyone needs to know about VC is that you can’t go in St. Peter’s or the Sistine Chapel unless your shoulders and thighs are covered. Thats right, God doesn’t want you showing any leg. I can’t believe this isn’t better publicized. I only saw it in one guide book! I know it’s a respect thing, but it was like eleventy-billion degrees. After the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s, we went to the Trevi Fountain. Those of you planning on building a fountain, please take notes. This thing was ridiculous. One of the nicest fountains I have ever seen. Our penultimate stop in Rome was the Colosseum. As big as the amphitheater was in Pompeii, this thing was bigger. It is absolutely amazing to me that they were able to build something this big. Words can barely describe it. Finally, we went to the Spanish steps. Unfortunately, the church at the top was being renovated, so the view was somewhat encumbered. Regardless, Rome was beautiful.
I would totally recommend to anyone visiting Italy to hit both Rome and Pompeii.
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