Pompeii

We have had the good fortune to see a lot truly awesome places over the years, but there is something about Pompeii that makes it one of my favorites. We have a great tour guide and see all of the usual highlights, but my happy place is wandering down quiet side streets on our own, what remains of Mount Vesuvius looming in the background. Away from the crowds, it isn’t so hard to imagine life here two thousand years ago and the people then walking down the exact same sidewalks we are now.

We’re in no particular hurry, but even so, it all takes a little longer than it probably should as our events coordinator needs to stop and touch the “good luck” symbols peppered throughout the city. I guess Redmond must be a naturally lucky place as I definitely don’t recall this level of interest back home.

After a break for lunch, we hop back on the train and ride it to the end of the line in Sorrento (minus Sam, who has dipped in order to get back to the apartment and finish up a final assignment for his summer session). It is fun showing the boys the narrow streets filled with stores peddling all things lemon-related, and the beach we used to walk down to when we stayed here.

As with the rest of Italy, it is way too crowded this time of year for our tastes and, after a few hours of sightseeing, we are ready to call it a day. By the time we make it back to Castellammare di Stabia we’re too tired to even leave the apartment for dinner.

Tomorrow is our last day and, with no tours booked, we’re free to see whatever the boys want to check off their list. There’s talk of a boat trip down the coast or maybe taking a cable car up the mountain so we shall see what the morning brings.