Day 5: Pompeii, where the past comes alive

I had mentioned last night that I had one of the worst nights of sleep and I felt a little deprived.  After posting, I thought I'd get to bed early, catch up on some Zzzs and make sure that today was enjoyable.  I was able to accomplish only portions of my goal.  I had some trouble falling asleep, but the time was productive.  I felt exhausted all day, but still managed to have a wonderful time.

I am probably going to keep the commentary light, tonight, and try to go to sleep extra early.  It is only 8:30pm and I think I will be able to fall asleep tonight.  Sorry for my complaining, but I wanted to explain myself.  I also think I, and a few others, are getting a little sore throat.  I'm not worried about it yet, lol. It seems to happen to me when I travel to Europe (must be a change in climate or something).

This morning, we had a fairly simple breakfast at our hotel and began preparing for our day.  We boarded our bus and began the trek out to Pompeii.  We hit a little Monday traffic as we entered into Naples, but it didn't prevent us from being one of the first groups here.

[Side note:  I am in my room typing this, instead of the lobby, I am currently eavesdropping on Dalia, and a few other kids, chatting with John, our Tour Director.  He is Australian, by birth, and he currently lives in Greece.  They are asking him all sorts of cultural questions and he seems to be eating it up.  It is these moments, the ones not in brochures, that will resonate with them for many years.  I just love being a witness to it.]

Back on track...our Pompeii guide was Gino.  He used a rolled up newspaper as his "follow me" stick.  He was a local, but he had been a guide at Pompeii for many years.  I am pretty sure he was not my guide, when I visited Pompeii in the early 2000s.  The tour has changed a bit since then, I think it is because they are still uncovering parts of the city.  Gino said only 3/5ths of the city has been excavated.

Our group in the ancient Marketplace at Pompeii.
That is Mount Vesuvius in the background.

The first part of the tour started at the Gladiatorial training facility.  This was not part of my tour 10 years ago, although I was able to find it while exploring on my own.  Gino was great at explaining how what we saw would have looked nearly 2000 years ago.

Gino explaining the history of Pompeii.

Our first glimpse of Pompeii

From within the Gladiatorial living quarters, looking out to the training arena

As our group moved through the training facility Gino explained that there was a second floor.  You can kind of see a reconstructed balcony in the far end of the picture.

After leaving the Gladiatorial facility, we made our way into the Amphitheater.  Here, in ancient times, the citizens of Pompeii would here poetry, watch the latest drama, or have a concert. Today, much of the facility has been reconstructed, and much like our ancient counterparts, they still have performances here.  I love that cyclical nature of history.

Most of the group on the way to the Amphitheater.

My attempt at a panoramic photograph

The original stage remains in ruin, but the seats are all numbered and performers currently use the space in the middle.

A "classic" selfie pose.

Leaving the Amphitheater. 

After performing, we decided to hit the streets.  Pompeii, for those who haven't been, is much larger than you think.  That sentiment was resonated by many of the kids.  Gino told us that we wouldn't be able to see it all, but because we were one of the first groups, we seemed to have this giant city to ourselves.  It is easy to imagine yourself walking down the roads, looking into shops, and greeting your neighbors.  I remember from earlier tours, how communal Pompeii was.  We could still feel that today.

Work is constant in Pompeii. 

It was walking through the streets and seeing the men at work that I relished a particular thought.  As a history teacher, I often wonder if the kids think my subject is a dead end.  They look at history and think the only job available is that of a history teacher...and what fun is that, lol.  Seeing the renovations and preservation at Pompeii reminded me, and some of the kids that I talked to, that history isn't dead.  The past comes alive every time an archaeologist puts his shovel to the ground, or an historian puts his pencil to the paper.  Pompeii is a great reminder that history comes alive every time a high school kid walks the ruined streets of a city thousands of miles away from home and smiles because of the experience.  My job is a ton of fun...and even on days when I'm feeling sluggish, some kid will say something or will share a thought, that reminds me of the value in what we do.

[Second side note:  Ms. Alongi is here with us this week.  She has been on most of my overseas journeys with me, and led last year's England, France, and Netherlands trip.  She student taught with me a few years ago.  Earlier this week, while searching Facebook, I saw a post from another teacher who trained under me, Mr. Noce.  He is now teaching in North Reading, I think, and is leading a group of 38 students to Ireland and England...perhaps they are staying at the Hand Hotel (Eurotrip13).  I think it is cool that so many kids are able to experience this type of education.  We had a tough road with this particular trip, but I am so happy we are here.]

On to our tour of Pompeii...Gino explained that there were many elements to the city.  One of the elements was a little bit risque.  There were four brothels in Pompeii. One of them was in good shape after the excavations and has been reconstructed a bit.  Of course, we went in...



 I never really thought I would catch so many kids walking into a house of such ill-repute, but you know what they say, "When in Rome..."
Honestly, the idea of taking 40+ kids to a brothel is a little strange, but the history of our world is made up of many different customs and practices that we don't understand.  To help us figure it out, we need to take those steps...figuratively, of course.  The brothel had quite a few rooms and above the doors to those rooms, there were frescoes showing what was available. I am still not sure if our kids understood what they were seeing, or if they figured out the frescoes.  The images are slightly faded.  I think some kids heard, and understood Gino's explanation, but others were just walking through an old building. I would ask them if they even remember this when they get home, lol.

One of the tamer references. 

A stone bed within the brothel.

After our excursion into Ancient Amsterdam, we made our way to the city's market area.  The area is large. You can kind of get a sense of the size from the group photo at the top of this blog post.  There are a few temples and stables.  The grounds today look barren, but back then it would have been alive.  The city was a relatively important trading post before the eruption.  You can still see the indentations of carriage wheels along the streets.  Gino took us through the square and into the bath area. Ancient Pompeii how has its own Pizzeria, but just past it, in the past, there would have been a cold and/or hot bath depending on your needs.

Joe, Bianca, Lexie, Ms. Payne, Nick F, and Pedro washing up inside the bath

After the bath, Gino took us back into the market area, here, we were able to see three of the casts made of victims of the eruption of Vesuvius.

This is the cast of a small child.

This cast shows an adult trying to cover their mouth from the toxic fumes that consumed the city.

This cast is of a dog that succumbed to the gases of Pompeii.  It's torso is contorted showing its pain and struggle.

Pompeii is an amazing historical site.  I've been three times now and all three have been brilliant.  I am always in awe of its size and how much is preserved.  We were told today that four new buildings were opened to the public this year.  The entrance to the site has changed reflecting the new areas that are ready for modern tourists to walk through them.  Every time I've come here, I have seen new things.  It has been gone for thousands of years, but it is growing.  How else can I prove to kids that the past is alive!!!

After Pompeii, we headed back to Sorrento for some shopping and lunch. I wasn't feeling great, so I took it easy.  I am including a couple of photos.

Bus shot.

Giant lemons in our second bus shot.

Beautiful view of Sorrento from the hilltop

Salami, Sausage, and French Fry Pizza

Baxon, Gorganzola, and locally sourced Walnut Pizza.

Ashley and I improving my selfie skills

Praanav and I overlooking the Bay of Naples...Vesuvius is over my shoulder.

I totally took this shot without paying...I'm that cheap, lol

Well, we have an early wake-up call, 6am, and a long day ahead of us.  We will say good bye to Italy and hello to Greece.  Our trip is halfway over.  It seems like we've been going non-stop. I hope, on the 25th, when you pick the kids up, they say that they are exhausted, but that it was all worth it.  I hope they catch the travel bug that I've been fighting since my Junior year of high school.  I hope that they are willing to try new things and that they are able to appreciate differences in peoples cultures.  I hope that they stop every once in a while and appreciate the time in which they live...and that while they are doing that, they reflect on our collective past.  If so, this trip, all of these trips, will have been a success.

Mr. Lavoie, not feeling great in one respect, but feeling great in many others...and crossing his fingers for a longer post for you all tomorrow.

[Third Side Note: As a reminder, our wifi has been spotty here.  I have a device that allows me to connect with greater success than our kids.  I cannot relinquish the password to them, otherwise it too will lag.  Feel free to email me at rlavoie@saugus.k12.ma.us if there are any concerns.  Also, I am posting a few updates to Twitter: @history01906 and Instagram: MrlavoieSHS, please follow along]

[Fourth Side Note: A couple of kids asked if I was going to add the following song to tonight's post.  I was just laying down to read before bed when I remembered.  The song is Pompeii by a band called Bastille.  Two for One historical references.  The kids didn't think that most of the parents would know the song or band.]