Europe Day 27: Herculaneum and Gelato

Everyone has heard about Pompeii, but not as many know of it's smaller cousin, Herculaneum.  The same volcanic eruption that coated the former in ash buried the latter in mud that almost perfectly preserved the city.

In short, it is very similar to Pompeii.  Lots of very old houses and a variety of shops. The main difference is that in Pompeii, there is very little vegetation.  It is very dry and dusty and not too comfortable looking.  Herculaneum has poppies and lush green trees all over the place! I would gladly live there, except for the lead water pipes.  That could put a damper on my party.

After the long train ride back to Sorrento, I enjoyed a chicken and mayonaise sandwhich for lunch with Melissa.  There is a cultural thing for you-a menu in Italy will tell you exactly what you are eating.  If the pizza is not described with tomato sauce and cheese, it does not have tomato sauce and cheese.  If the sandwhich says it will have chicken and mayonaise, you will get bread, with chicken and mayonaise in the middle. No bells, no whistles.  Just exactly what you ordered.

We returned to the hotel just in time to take our mid-term.  It was a test.  I think I did well.  That's about all there is too it.

The rest of the afternoon was spent considering a beach venture.  A group of us talked about it, changed into our swim clothes, and even made it to get lunch for on the beach.  Then some how getting there became just a little too difficult.  So I went back to my room, changed out of my swim clothes, and played spoons with Jeanie, Kayla and Josh.

I love playing games with Kayla.  We are both ridiculously competative. We had no qualms about wrestling a bit for the plastic spoon, and we continually taunted each other the entire match.  Well, since she was loosing I taunted her.  But I am certain that if she had been winning she would have done the same. 

My people had all either eaten dinner or made dinner plans, so I went for a walk and picked up a sandwhich.  It was cheese and salami, and rather delicious.  Melissa, Kayla, Jeanie and I then left to get expensive desserts.  Let me put that in perspective for you.  Each day we get 17 euro to buy our meals.  Breakfast is complimentary at this hotel.  I spent five euro on lunch, 3.50 euro on dinner, and 8.50 euro on dessert.  It was three ginormous scoops of gelato, topped with whipped cream and chocolate peices.  I think it was supposed to be tiramisu flavored gelato, so they poured cold coffee on top of it all as well.  Once I got past that, the entire thing was delicious! 

Now my stomach hurts from all that milk, so I decided against karaoke with the rest of the gang.  It sounds like a lot of fun, but I haven't gotten enough sleep lately, and I want to climb Mt. Vesuvius tomorrow, so I need my rest.  Besides, I've spent the past several weeks surrounded by my classmates at all time.  Whether awake or asleep, the first time I had completely alone today was when everyone else was in the lobby on the computer and I was in my room cleaning up some stuff.  I think tomorrow I shall climb the mountain with my group, then spend some time alone.  Perhaps souvenir shopping, followed by a good amount of time with just me, and Jane Austen, and perhaps some sand between my toes.  We'll have to see.