Thursday, 31 December 2012
Ending the year in style. That seems to be the emphasis for everyone. So, keeping in the theme of the day we decided to go visit a volcano. Or, at least the results of a volcano. Pompeii. Actually, it was the exhibit at the Archaeological Museum in Naples that has an extensive collection of artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum since they were buried right outside of town. And the best way to get from Rome to Naples and back in one day is the bullet train. Or here in Italy, the Frecciarossa, or red arrow. You can get on board in central Rome and in 70 minutes you step out into another world in Naples.
This was the second short trip Laura and I have made to Naples. The first was a drive through on our first ever visit to Italy more than 25 years ago. It looked run down and terribly dirty then, and nothing changed our feelings on this visit. Even the cab driver from the train station to the museum said that Neapolitans respect nothing. And, sadly it shows in the city.
The museum had a very nice collection of sculptures, wall frescoes, and mosaics that had been recovered. The display shows the complexity and sophistication of life during the time of the eruption in 79 AD. The detail in the art is comparable to anything produced until the Renaissance in Italy. This truly was a beautiful city at its height of opulence. There were a few displays that were closed which would have been nice to view but that happens.
To welcome the new year we went out for dinner right around the corner from the apartment and then walked up to Piazza del Popolo. The piazza was a magnet for locals and by midnight there were thousands of rather energetic people having a few drinks, setting off fire crackers and sparklers, singing and chanting. We had ringside seats for a marriage proposal and watched the fireworks explode just above a 2000 year old Egyptian obelisk. That juxtaposition may be hard to top.
Happy New Year from the Eternal city!
The best way to start the last day of the year??? With gelato of course!!
The Frecciarossa train pulling in at the station in Rome.
Cruising at 180 MPH on the way to Naples.
The statuary which has been recovered from Pompeii is amazing.
This is the detail on the base of the handle of a bronze water jar.
Mosaics mad up a large part of home interior decoration. The individual pieces in this work are not more than an eight of an inch across.
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Returning to Rome the piazza Navona was crowded.
Coming up on midnight the party girls are ready. Claire took good care of the vin Santo supply.
I am not certain what this little guy expected but his eyes tell me he is surprised!!!
The young and slightly older were all involved.
He asked “Will you marry me?”
She kissed “Yes!!”
Let the fireworks begin.
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