The sky was hazy but bright; not much of a breeze and humid. \u00a0We had an eight o’clock meeting time for an excursion to Pompeii, so we arose early and had breakfast. \u00a0We had originally planned to see the ancient city on our own but our transportation was cancelled, so we booked an escorted tour, which turned out to be the best idea.<\/p>\n We met our tour leader, Jose, and boarded a bus for the 40 minute drive from Naples to Pompeii. \u00a0We had been warned that this was a “strenuous” tour. \u00a0First there was a 15 minute walk from the bus parking lot to the entrance of the site. \u00a0Then, according to the write-up, we had to “walk 2.5 miles on large uneven rocks and stony pavement.”<\/p>\n We took the challenge, but I would not recommend Pompeii to anyone with any balance or mobility issues. \u00a0Also, sneakers or other closed shoes are a must. \u00a0One of the women in our group fell and broke her ankle and had to be carried out on a stretcher. \u00a0After that, we were very careful!<\/p>\n Pompeii was a Roman city which was buried under 20 feet of volcanic ash and pumice during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. \u00a0The city was preserved because of lack of air and moisture. \u00a0Jose said the eruption was geologically similar to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helen’s in Washington State.<\/p>\n The site was discovered in 1748 and became a popular tourist destination ever since. \u00a0Pompeii provides insight and knowledge into the everyday lives of the 11,000 people who lived there two thousand years ago. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site but nothing prepared us for the size and scope of the city. \u00a0Pompeii is very large and truly difficult to easily walk around. \u00a0I was very glad we had a tour guide who knew his way around the labyrinthine streets because it could be very easy to get lost.<\/p>\n Visiting Pompeii was well worth the difficulties. \u00a0The city was a large brick and stone ‘ghost town.’ \u00a0I felt sad for all the lives that were lost and the terrifying experience of being under such a huge volcanic eruption. \u00a0It was easy to make the connection to the volcano in Hawaii which is currently erupting.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gallivantinggrandma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_6407.jpg\")
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