Laura,
Don't Stop!!!
It's like reliving the trip (although not quite as warm).
Pompeii has always been a fascination of mine. I'd love to go back and just go there and to Herculaneum (sp). DH was not as excited about these places and we did the pompeii, sorrento and capri excursion instead. It is my biggest regret of the trip. (besides not bringing DD) We were supposed to have 2 hours at Pompeii. But had less than an hour of actually being in Pompeii. Leaving was so difficult. So seeing your photos is wonderful to me. I do have pictures of the ampitheater and will download them as soon as I can get to the other computer.
Thanks again,
Oh Sandra! Thank You!
I don't know how in the world I could have forgotten about the amphitheatre but thank God you went. I hope you went when it was still a bit cool. We were there from about 10 am til about 1 or 2. can't rightly remember because I know that it took about 2 hrs to climb Mt. Vesuvius and then about another 2 hrs for Herculaneum. We were back at the ship with about 1 hr to spare and let me tell you - it was a loonnnnngg day.
DH wasn't excited about going there either until he found out that the Capri excursions had long winding roads. Thank God that the climb up the mountain was done in the cool. Here we are in the middle of summer, hot spell, sweat trickling down our backs and we decide to climb Mt. V. Luckily the volcano gods were with us because from the moment we stepped on the ground to the time we were climbing into the air-conditioned van - the clouds came over the sun and stayed there. It was downright cold and breezy on top but DH said that's what made it bearable - he likes it
- we think he is related to the Iceman.
I am having fun looking at these pictures and as I haven't really done anything with them - its fun to upload them and decide what to show you guys. So break out your pictures Sandra - oh - and I found a wonderful sight which has similar pictures on it. LOL - I actually found the site AFTER our trip but it did bring back some memories - when I find it I will post it here. I believe that it is from someone that was stationed there for a while and has some history - apparently they are entrigued by it too. I think I spent about 3 hrs there just looking at what pictures they'd taken. Amazing.
I'm sorry you didn't much time there - it truly is amazing and I hope to plan a trip there so that I can devote just about one entire day to this place. I'm sure I've seen just about everything but I didn't get to touch everything. Although I think that the most crowded place of all was the .......um.........house of ill repute.
We walked up and I noticed a "house" with a line for it - not knowing what we were getting in line for I asked as we were walking in - what are we in line for - all I got was - remember - no flash!
I think what is fascinating to remember regardless of our standing was that , according to our guide, the "menu" was pictorial (in the house of ill repute) , of course, but Pompeii was a major sea port for the day. They had thousands of "foreigners" and so many did not speak their language. The Temple of Isis - which I think I did get one picture of - was not native to Pompeii - this is a nod to the belief of the "foreigners" and so shows the tolerance and the ability to integrate others beliefs in order to assimilate into their culture. Anyway, the strangers usually communicated via signs and many common hand signals. I'm not sure that I can post some of the pictures I took and wouldn't want them banned but I was walking in the street when I look down and saw what was basically meant as a sign and an arrow type carved into the rock in the street. It was directions to the house. So even back then, they were were signs and graffiti - I was able to get some pictures of the menu but again - I'm not sure I can post here but it is amazing to realize that you could order what you wanted by just pointing at the pictures.
I can't understand why I'm so amazed at the efficiency of past civilizations. I know its not like ours is the only one out there but its like a slap in the face to realize -hey - we were not the first to walk this path. I am consistenly amazed and that is why this is forever continue to hold a place in my heart!
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts and pictures. More to follow later.
Somehow I got to get ready for April's track meet.
Be back later.
BTW, how's the new grandbaby? More pictures! She's beautiful by the way. Hope mom and dad and baby are doing fine.
The door has bronze studs which is actually visible in person. Right now it is covered in leucite to protect it but it is an actual ruin. 
Thanks again Laura........it truly was the trip of a lifetime........to see that many amazing places in just 12 days...........I loved Pompeii as well, we were fortunate to go in the morning and it was still hot then!
He's better now but still - not many shots where I come out 1/2 way decent. It was hot and stuffy - we were waiting on someone that got left behind - so I quickly stuffed us into what is essentially a turret and snap! 
Helen - I really enjoyed your pictures of your holiday with your mom. I've thought of you plenty of times in the last couple of times and I even glimpsed some pictures of you here and there. I am going to have to see about posting some pictures for you guys again. Seeing as how we lost those on the old thread. 
I love watching that and of course some of our friends are in Flyball finals.
