Volcano Day

Our big outing today was to Pompeii! We got up this morning to catch our train to Naples, where we then connected to a bus that took us out to Pompeii. Although our parents had told us that the ruins weren't that exciting, Heather and I were still looking forward to seeing them, since we had learned a lot about Pompeii in school... and possibly because of the Doctor Who episode that takes place there.

Lo and behold, it was not as boring as they let on. We actually saw some pretty cool stuff, including a space used for gladiator fights before the Colosseum was built, a theatre, a fast food place (no really!), a couple of brothels, a middle-class house, and a women's bath house. We also had our gelato there after the tour!

We returned to Naples and awaited our train to Rome. That was our last big city transfer! Mom, Dad, and Heather will fly out of Rome next week. By the time we got here tonight, it was getting pretty late, so again, we haven't done any sightseeing yet. Our hotel is near Vatican City, so we got a glimpse of St. Peter's as we rode to the hotel. Other than that, I haven't seen any of the important sights yet, but that's all on tomorrow's agenda.

Pompeian graffiti- see the gladiators?

Actual lead pipe used to carry water.

Mt. Vesuvius from (the remains of) the piazza.