What’s that noise? It’s like an alarm. Is somebody calling me? I wake up. It’s Pompeii Day!
We got ready and had breakfast in our apartment. Dad made us a yummy breakfast of cereal with yoghurt, banana and apple slices. We also had toast with cherry jam. We ate fast knowing that we had to get to the Piazza Del Popolo to meet our tour guide.
After a short ride on the Metro, we got to the piazza and when we walked in we were not sure where to go but then Mum found our tour guide. His name was Roberto and he was very humorous. He gave us information about the Piazza, mainly about the obelisk (it was from Egypt and came to Rome more than 2000 years ago) and the gate which was the main gate to enter ancient Rome.
We walked through the gate to the bus where we were told to get comfortable as we had a long drive ahead. Roberto and Angie (another guide) told us all about Rome, Pompeii and Napoli. They used facts, stories and myths to give us information to help us understand what we would be seeing.
We stopped at Casino for a toilet and drink break and then got back on the road. Before we knew we saw the first sight of Mount Vesuvius and we knew we were close to Pompeii.
When we arrived, we were told that we were going to be given radio receivers so that the tour guide could give us information and directions as we toured the city.
The first glimpse of the ruins opened my eyes. The first buildings were built in to a hill. When we officially entered we saw the gladiator training ground. Our guide said that the gladiators were out there all day long and only had a little rest.
As we walked through the city the guide told us how high the ash was after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD and explained how no lava came into the city but there were hot gases and ash (pyroclastic flow – Dad’s words).
The Pompeans had theatres and a gladiator arena. We got to climb the steps at the theatre.
We also went into the house of a rich family who were related to Emperor Nero. There were colourful frescos on the walls. We saw statues of their ancestors and human bones in a glass case (which they think were the family).
We learned a new thing – archaeological lasagne. Through time the Romans would build new buildings on top of old ones usually leaving the old building as it was. We also saw how the buildings were made.
We learned that they found food in the sewers so we know that they ate lentils and bread.
Walking along the streets, we learned how to tell the difference between houses and shops. Shops had a groove in the stone in front of the shop which was there for sliding doors. Houses had a stone step leading to a normal door.
We saw plaster moulds of 3 people and a dog. The bones of the people and dog were inside the plaster. Archaeologists worked out that they could inject plaster into the hole left when the body had rotted away. We also saw lots pots and jugs.
When we finished our tour, there was a very angry lady from America. She had lost the group during the tour (and came back to the start to wait). Even Amelia and I were able to listen and follow the guide by ourselves (Mum and Dad were at the back) this grown up lady couldn’t manage and did not take responsibility for her actions. Instead all she wanted to do was blame the guide and yell and scream at her.
After Pompeii we drove into Naples for lunch at a proper Pizzeria. Pizza was invented in Napoli and we had pizza made by a 3rd generation Pizziola. We had a pizza each but shared them. We had Margarita, Marinara (not seafood!) and Blanco.
We had our pizza and got back on the road to go to the museum. At the museum we saw lots of household items from Pompeii including cutlery, mirrors, coins, lamps, glass (some melted) and jewellery. We also frescos and mosaics. There was a secret room that only Mum and Dad were allowed to go in to (frescos statues and lamps from the Red light district in Pompeii)
Downstairs there were things to see from Egypt and other parts of Italy. My favourites were the statues. I really liked the lion.
Soon it was time to head home with another quick stop at Casino where we had a little a snack and drink. I fell asleep on the way back to Rome dreaming of the wonderful day we had just had.
