Pompeii
Greetings from Pompeii! Uncovered from ash following a volcanic eruption, our students had the opportunity to visit the history-rich city.
Our first stop was the amphitheater, where gladiators had bravely fought in the past. Some of the seats in the stands have been covered by greenery, but majority of the original structures remain. Even the pebbles we stood on were from over 2000 years ago.
We visited many other parts of Pompeii, seeing what life was like back then. We saw a bathhouse, a bakery, examples of houses, and the theater. Everyone was surprised at how well ash could preserve art and various structures. We even got to see a cast of one of the victims. Our tour ended in a plaza called ‘The Forum’, lined with giant columns and beautiful ruins.
Everyone returned to the theater for our drawing exercise. The first exercise took place within the theater, but after, the students were allowed to explore to search for inspiration. Everyone reconvened at ‘The Forum’, and we prepared to leave.
After Pompeii, we had the opportunity to explore the Maxi-Mall. Some students noted that it was similar to Garden State Plaza, but filled with many Italian brands.
We ended our night at Caupona, an immersive restaurant experience. The staff dressed in togas and the walls of the restaurant were recreations of authentic Pompeii frescos, many of which we saw on our tour earlier.
Until tomorrow!