Pompeii

Popeii was a Roman city founded around 600 BC and was considered a central trading point along the Mediterranean.  Historians believe the city served an estimated 20,000 residents with more than 40 bakeries and 130 bars, restaurants and hotels. In AD 79, Mt. Vesuvius erupted and left Pompeii and neighboring city, Herculaneum, completely buried and destroyed with ash and lava. Sometime in the 18th century these cities were accidentally discovered and the excavation and restoration process began. 20% of the city is still under ash today.

We split into groups and had a tour around Pompeii. I had a general understanding of the history behind the city yet still could not believe the complexity of there way of life let alone the fact that what i was walking around and seeing had been covered by ASH.

Body preserved by ash - teeth and all

margeaux  in the beginning of Pompeii's "red light district"

After the tour of historic Pompeii we had an hour to relax and grab some lunch prior to our 8 hour bus ride home. After walking around for hours in 90+ degree heat everyone was looking forward to a nice long nap on an air conditioned bus. To our surprise the ac didn't work. we had to request an extra stop so everyone could get water and stop sweating for a few min!

margeaux and i stole snagged a bag of ice from the rest stop..