Invitation To Italy, Vignettes-7

Chapter 19 Ostia Antica, Anzio, to Pozzuoli

Ostia … One of the joys of RV travel is that we were able to park among the ancient houses, markets, baths, and temples of Ostia, and have lunch overlooking what was once a bustling city, the harbor of ancient Rome.

Sperlonga … The Italian government has taken the town under its protection to ensure that it is not “improved” out of existence, and these days automobiles are permitted only as far as the little town square at the top of the hill.

Pozzuoli Amphitheater … first time in Europe, gray hair paid off, there was no admission charge for senior citizens.

Chapter 20 Naples

Naples … Under the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, Naples combines the staggering extremes of magnificence and misery. The opalescent splendor of the Bay of Naples has been a subject of interest to painters and poets for centuries.

Our “dog walker” had taken his dog home, then had come in his car … He was that worried for us. We had heard things were bad in Naples, but not this bad, or in his case, this good. He refused any payment for his good deed,

One of the grimiest streets in Naples was lined with tiny trees protected by a metal guard, plus a few small trees in concrete tubs. … it must be disappointing to the people who care, to see that it doesn’t look better than this. A tree looks so gorgeous in Paris, so melancholy in Naples.

Chapter 21 Monte Cassino, Vesuvius, Herculaneum, Pompeii

Monte Cassino … established by St. Benedict in 529 AD … our visit inside the beautiful cathedral was brief. … never seen so much gold decoration, so many colors of marble in such lovely mosaic patterns, as in the cathedral on Monte Cassino.

Herculaneum … A variety of organic materials were preserved. Wood, cloth, rope, grain, rolls of papyrus, even loaves of bread and baskets of walnuts survived.

Pompeii … How did the city planners, in several centuries BC, know just where to place Pompeii so that 2,000 years later it would be at an off-ramp of the Autostrada, next to a railway station, hotels, and the campsite. That’s careful planning.