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Last weekend the Arcadia students set out for Napoli, Sorrento and Pompei. The way there brought troubles — there was an accident on the highway and traffic was backed up to a standstill. Thankfully, because traffic wasn’t moving we were able to get off the bus and walk around a little. After the traffic let up, we were able to make progress towards our destination, but still couldn’t make it to Pompei in time for our tour. We ended up rearranging our schedule and going to Sorrento Saturday and Pompei on Sunday.

Driving through Napoli and Sorrento, one of the first things I noticed was the color. The scenery passing by was reminiscent of vibrant houses I have seen in pictures of Latin America. One of my favorite color combinations on buildings was a cool, medium gray with Ferrari red shutters and accents. In Sorrento, the walls lining the narrow streets envelop you in a sense of warmth. It is almost as if the architects based their color palette on the peppers hanging from street stands and storefronts. Even a dome I saw in the city was topped with colored shingles. I don’t recall anything particularly significant about Sorrento, but it provided me with an opportunity to take pictures and I certainly took my share.

After visiting Sorrento, we went to the town of Vico Equense, where we stayed overnight. We ate dinner at L’Università della Pizza, where I had quite possibly the best pizza I’ve ever eaten in my life. The desserts were delicious as well. I don’t know what mine was called, but it was a sweet pastry filled with whipped cream, with a sweet liqueur drizzled on top. The view from the hotel where we stayed was gorgeous. From the patio outside I could see Mount Vesuvius from across the bay, and from a balcony on the building I was able to look over the small town and out at the hills dotted with lights.

The following day, we went to Pompei. I was told that it was a major port city at the time, but even by today’s standards it could still qualify as a large town. It was amazing to see the excavated buildings and how they had been preserved over so many years. Many frescoes were still quite visible on the walls, and mosaic tile floors made of tiny pieces were still intact! As amazing as it was to see, it left me wanting to experience Pompei in its former glory. I guess I’ll just have to imagine, but visiting was in and of itself a kind of trip back in time, a glimpse into what it might have been like.