Mom is already on the floor of our cabin, talking to herself, surrounded by souvenirs and somewhat clean clothes. I'm resting my back before I dig in.
Somewhere in those waning 5 hours, we also need to eat and decide if we want to purchase any of the bazillion photos the snap-happy cruise folks took of us along the way. We're especially curious to see how the portrait of Piglet turned out. The photographer last night – taking photos of our second and final Formal Night – was amused enough when we asked if he might take a photo of Piglet using the romantic if not cheesy sunset-on-the-bow backdrop. He was more amused when we said no, we didn't need to be in the photo, just the pig please. If nothing else, Piglet might be bringing a smile to other passengers tonight as they view the photo boards.
Today was Naples. Actually, a good chunk of the day was spent outside of Naples touring the ruins of Pompeii. As we bussed out to the ancient city that was buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, I gazed at the somewhat trapezoidal mountain and was stunned that towns now surround its base. It seemed rather short-sighted and down right silly to build civilization right on top of lava that spilled out of the still-active volcano. But then I reflected on the fact that Woodhaven is really not all that far from Mount St. Helens. Guess I really shouldn't be casting any pumice.
Pompeii was interesting but Mom and I both agreed Ephesus was far more fascinating and mind boggling. It might have something to do with how Pompeii was described and the impression we got of it from the ruins we were introduced to. In a word, Pompeii was one hedonistic town. Lots of places to relax and drink and get massages and socialize. The red light district was also quite important, it appeared, complete with mosaics depicting a menu of sorts. There seemed to be quite a bit of extravagance and opulence to Pompeii and there was no mention of work or duty. The part Mom and I both found the most intriguing was the streets. There was no sewer system, so the streets had raised stepping stones across them to allow pedestrians a dry crossing. The cobblestone streets also had ruts in them for the chariots. The chariots! THAT was cool.
A part of the tour that unique to ours alone was watching a family with a son in a wheelchair. We have seen them throughout the cruise, determined to give their mid-twenties son a vacation like anyone else's. But watching them negotiate the stones and stairs and puddles and stairs of the Pompeii site was incredible. The mid-50s father and another son literally carried the young man in his wheelchair up stairs, down stairs, and over the huge stepping stones. The son in the chair bounced along gamely, no doubt with his teeth rattling. The father didn't complain and the only physical sign of his incredible exertion was the sweat dripping from his forehead. The love and dedication of that father to his son nearly brought me to tears. I overheard someone commend the father for all the work he was doing. The father said, patting his son lovingly on the shoulder, “Oh, he just loves this ancient stuff. We even did Ephesus the other day.” This drew gasps from those who also overheard. Later, after carrying the son and wheelchair down a narrow, slick, metal stair case, the father rubbed his son's arm and said, “Wow, wasn't that something to see?” He was referring to the ruins, not the trip down from them. Honestly, they were equally impressive.
Tomorrow we are on our own in Rome. Two days of roamin' Rome, with the requisite gelato, and then we're homeward bound. But first, we must pack.
Photo score: Toni = 1186; Mom = 1437
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