Pompeii and Back to Gaeta

We woke up today somewhat better rested. Showering today was a little bit different, i.e. we removed the toilet paper from the bathroom first. Otherwise it was a similar routine to yesterday until we were ready to leave the hotel. Luigi paid for our stay there. We were grateful to him for his hospitality.

We were picked up both Luigi and Antonio who then drove us to Pompeii. It was a trip that was mostly on the expressway, so there were not a lot of close calls with other vehicles and the trip went quickly. But the weather was threatening all day long with on-and-off showers. Driving on the west side of Mt. Vesuvius provided a different perspective. The top half of the volcano was embedded in a layer of storm clouds all day.

Arriving in Pompeii, I was amazed at how commercial the surrounding area was and how near it was to the ruins. When we arrived there was rain, so we decided to stop at a bar to get some pastries first. I had a cannoli and Mark had baba. Italian Rum Baba is a light yeast cake flavored with rum, vanilla, and apricot preserves. The shop also sold gelato, which looked extremely delicious, but since it was so humid and I had already eaten, I passed on the opportunity to have some. But I did photograph it. And I was able to stop at a street vendors stand to get some Pompeii souvenirs.

Next to the ruins is a church called The Sanctuary of the blessed Virgin of the Rosary (sometimes called the Sanctuary of Pompeii). We went into the church to look around despite the fact that there were renovations taking place. Mark went to the altar to kneel and pray since he is Catholic. The architectural features inside the church were stunning. Frescos, paintings, and statues adorned the sanctuary on the order of some like I have never seen before in any church. The fact that this sits right next to the ruins where thousands of lives were lost is amazing, particularly with the decadent and heretic lifestyles that so many in AD 79 Pompeii had. Here there was holiness and a place to come for forgiveness in this day and age within a stone’s throw.

Luigi and Antonio made the decision that since we would be pressed for time, and since there was more rain threating which would cause us to risk falling on the lava rock streets in Pompeii that we should skip the tour. Disappointing as I was, I certainly did not want to be late to catch the train at 5:00 pm. On the way back to the car, I was able snap a few photographs of the ruins through the gates that were street side.

We headed back to the Boccia apartment where Gianna had made us a fine lunch of penne pasta with tomato sauce, baked Italian sausage and beef in tomato sauce, and bread. After our lunch, we sat in the living room looking at photographs of family members and visiting some more until it was time for us to leave.

The drive to the train station was sad as I hated to leave my family there, but I was still so excited to complete the remaining itinerary that we had for the next week ahead of us. Luigi parked his car and we unloaded our luggage. Rushing to get into the station, Mark stepped on the cobblestone sidewalk crocked and badly sprained his knee.

We got into the station only to find we were unsure of what track our train was on. Mark (limping) and Antonio went into a gift shop so Mark could buy Antonio a Napoli futbol shirt (and something for him) while Luigi, Gianna and I found the correct train. We said our goodbyes to our loved ones, boarded, and sat resting for the entire trip back. Mark was in tremendous pain.

When we arrived in Formia, Vito met us on the train platform. We both had to help with carrying Mark’s luggage while he had to lean on us to be able to walk out. It was a struggle for us all, but we finally got to Vito’s car.

On the way back to Gaeta, Vito stopped at a pharmacy where they had an over-the-counter medication that is not available in gel form in the United States – Naprosyn 10% gel. I purchased this for Mark and Vito took us back to Hotel Serapo. We had retained our room there for the bulk of our luggage that we did not need in Naples.

After we got Mark settled in the room, Vito went to pick up some dinner for all of us to eat. He brought back some Italian finger foods that were absolutely delicious and some Coca-Cola. He brought: 1) arancini with sausage, which is two fried risotto balls filled with mozzarella, peas & sausage, 2) fried mozzarella balls with marinara sauce, and 3) panzerotti, which is fried potato croquettes stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella. Let me tell you now, these were absolutely delicious, and I am certain that Mark felt better just eating these.

We made sure Mark was comfortable and had the gel on his knee. I went with Vito back to his apartment to spend some time with him and his family before he brought me back to the hotel. Mark appeared to be doing better and we settled in for another night of sleep.