Paestum, Temple of Ceres

The Temple of Ceres, the smallest of the three Greek Temples at Paestum, is 106 by 46 feet, with 34 columns that taper from four feet in diameter at the bottom to three feet at the top. The word cereal is derived from Ceres, the Roman mythologist goddess of grain. We have visited other remnants of ancient architecture — in Turkey, in Greece, and on the Greek Islands — and we do agree the ruins at Paestum are most impressive.

There were several bus loads of school children visiting Paestum, and while we waited for the sun to come out from behind a cloud so we could take better photographs (what a difference it makes), we talked to an animated group of school children from Naples. The teacher and several children could speak enough English for us to communicate. We enjoyed our conversation, but carefully neglected asking about conditions in their city — but later we wished we had asked.

Even the Italians, including a lady from Naples that we talked with at length, admit that the standard of living — and maybe even more important, the style of living — in Naples is so very different from the rest of the country.

In "Innocents Abroad," published in 1867, Mark Twain said "See Naples and die. Well, I do not know that one would necessarily die after merely seeing it, but to attempt to live there might turn out a little differently. … But do not go within the walls and look at it in detail. That takes away some of the romance of the thing.” And I think most people would still agree with Mr. Twain.