This week has been hot! Luckily, when Kelsey and I traveled to Naples last Saturday, I got a tiny bit of color AND didn’t burn. Kat:1 Italy:0. Our trip to Naples this week was prompted by a need to both get out of Rome and also to go on another (inexpensive) trip.
I’ve always been a weirdo about Pompeii. When I was a little kid I would borrow the same 4 books on Pompeii from my local library. I would re-read over and over the pages filled with pictures and description of the ruins, and gawk at the images of the preserved bodies and crumbling walls. Needless to say I was excited about going.
We hopped on a train at around 8:45 in the morning. We actually left right on time which is new to me because each train I’ve taken is almost always 20 minutes late. We got about 30 min into the trip when the train stopped in the middle of nowhere. The trenitalia employees then kicked a suspicious looking man off the train in the middle of nowhere. He then proceeded to punch the side of the train twice, injuring himself in the process. The trip to Naples was fine, but hot; everywhere in this country is super humid when it hits anywhere about 60 degrees. When we got to the main station in Naples we needed to find the transfer service to Pompeii (about 45 min away, when they said 25-30min). We walked around the main platform looking for a sign, and found two or three that pointed us in literally three different directions. I ended up asking an old man which way to go and he chuckled a little before directing us down a hallway.
We bought or tickets for the shuttle and waited on the (very) crowded platform for the train to come pick us up. Once aboard the train we were packed in like sardines. When we got to Pompeii we breathed a breath of fresh air and began exploring. From the outside it doesn’t look very impressive which sounds judgmental and pretentious but whatever. But once we got to the top of the ruins, saw where people had lived, where shops had been, and the bodies of people and animals perfectly frozen in time, I was absolutely captivated.
The ruins were amazing, but I hadn’t realized how far away Mt. Vesuvius actually is. Not that is was far, far away, but I had been under the impression that Pompeii was located right underneath it, nestled into its side.
The most amazing part of examining the ruins was how well preserved everything was. The artwork (specifically the frescos) were almost perfectly in tact. There may not have been full walls or rooms, but the pieces left were absolutely incredible. At one point I looked down and realized I had been walking on the original tiling, which made me freak out even more. Clearly, I’m having a hard time coherently gathering my thoughts and reflections, its something you definitely have to see in person if you ever have the chance, I can’t put it into words.
On the way back to Naples we decided to seek out the “best pizza place in Italy.” Naples is known for their pizza, so obviously, we were excited to try it out. I had done my research beforehand and we got off the train with a general knowledge of direction and slight pangs of hunger. When we rounded the corner of this pizzeria (L’antica Pizzeria Michele) it was completely packed. People had been waiting for hours, and a crowd had formed outside the door. Although we didn’t really want to wait, we decided there had to be a reason for the crowd and we waited. After waiting for about an hour and a half, our number was finally called and we hurried inside. This place is so special that they only serve two kinds of pies, margherita and marinara. We both ordered margherita. The best part about the entire experience (besides eating it) was that it only cost us four euro for each pie. It was the cheapest and most satisfying meal I’ve ever had. And yes, in case you’re curious…it was the best pizza I’ve ever had.
I’ve always been a weirdo about Pompeii. When I was a little kid I would borrow the same 4 books on Pompeii from my local library. I would re-read over and over the pages filled with pictures and description of the ruins, and gawk at the images of the preserved bodies and crumbling walls. Needless to say I was excited about going.
We hopped on a train at around 8:45 in the morning. We actually left right on time which is new to me because each train I’ve taken is almost always 20 minutes late. We got about 30 min into the trip when the train stopped in the middle of nowhere. The trenitalia employees then kicked a suspicious looking man off the train in the middle of nowhere. He then proceeded to punch the side of the train twice, injuring himself in the process. The trip to Naples was fine, but hot; everywhere in this country is super humid when it hits anywhere about 60 degrees. When we got to the main station in Naples we needed to find the transfer service to Pompeii (about 45 min away, when they said 25-30min). We walked around the main platform looking for a sign, and found two or three that pointed us in literally three different directions. I ended up asking an old man which way to go and he chuckled a little before directing us down a hallway.
We bought or tickets for the shuttle and waited on the (very) crowded platform for the train to come pick us up. Once aboard the train we were packed in like sardines. When we got to Pompeii we breathed a breath of fresh air and began exploring. From the outside it doesn’t look very impressive which sounds judgmental and pretentious but whatever. But once we got to the top of the ruins, saw where people had lived, where shops had been, and the bodies of people and animals perfectly frozen in time, I was absolutely captivated.
The ruins were amazing, but I hadn’t realized how far away Mt. Vesuvius actually is. Not that is was far, far away, but I had been under the impression that Pompeii was located right underneath it, nestled into its side.
The most amazing part of examining the ruins was how well preserved everything was. The artwork (specifically the frescos) were almost perfectly in tact. There may not have been full walls or rooms, but the pieces left were absolutely incredible. At one point I looked down and realized I had been walking on the original tiling, which made me freak out even more. Clearly, I’m having a hard time coherently gathering my thoughts and reflections, its something you definitely have to see in person if you ever have the chance, I can’t put it into words.
On the way back to Naples we decided to seek out the “best pizza place in Italy.” Naples is known for their pizza, so obviously, we were excited to try it out. I had done my research beforehand and we got off the train with a general knowledge of direction and slight pangs of hunger. When we rounded the corner of this pizzeria (L’antica Pizzeria Michele) it was completely packed. People had been waiting for hours, and a crowd had formed outside the door. Although we didn’t really want to wait, we decided there had to be a reason for the crowd and we waited. After waiting for about an hour and a half, our number was finally called and we hurried inside. This place is so special that they only serve two kinds of pies, margherita and marinara. We both ordered margherita. The best part about the entire experience (besides eating it) was that it only cost us four euro for each pie. It was the cheapest and most satisfying meal I’ve ever had. And yes, in case you’re curious…it was the best pizza I’ve ever had.