On The Mediterranean!

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From November 7th until the 9th, the class went on our last overnight field trip of the semester. The trip also happened to fall on my birthday, so I was especially excited for the weekend.

On the first day, we stopped briefly to see the Certosa di San Lorenzo, an old charter house in Padula. Walking through the old rooms was extremely peaceful as we were the only group visiting and the sound of the rain from outside carried through the halls.

At the top of the famous spiral staircase in the charter house
At the top of the famous spiral staircase in the charter house
View of inner courtyard
View of inner courtyard
Todd overlooking the same staircase
Todd overlooking the same staircase

We spent the rest of the day in Paestum where we saw Greek temples and ruins. We stayed the night at Hotel Calypso, which was extremely unique in its design and atmosphere. After dinner the whole class hung out on the beach that was just a two-minute walk from the hotel. We waded into the Mediterranean, had a bonfire, chatted, and listened to music. This was definitely my favorite part of the trip (and not just because it was the night of my birthday).

Greek Temple behind, Cristina, Pamela, and Cassidy
Greek Temple behind, Cristina, Pamela, and Cassidy
Hotel Calypso
Hotel Calypso
Hotel lobby
Hotel lobby
21!!!
21!!!

The next day the group met our history professor Jan Gadeyne in Herculaneum, where we learned about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and its effects on the Bay of Naples. Herculaneum, like Pompeii, was destroyed by the eruption, but it was preserved the best out of all the towns in the area. We were able to walk through the town itself, into homes, and bath complexes. It was pretty cool and eerie at the same time!

Old storage units for the shoreline where over 200 bodies were found during the town's excavations!
Old storage units for the shoreline where over 200 bodies were found during the town’s excavations!
Remnants of paintings inside one of the surviving homes
Remnants of paintings inside one of the surviving homes

Napoli, which I was especially excited to see as my grandfather is a descendent from there, was the final stop on the trip. Between the evening on Saturday and the morning on Sunday, we went to the National Archaeological Museum, went on a walking tour of the city, and saw a charter house much like the one in Padula. I was most amazed by the view of the bay and Mount Vesuvius (and also the extremely cheap and delicious pizza!).

Arnold, Takuma, and John looking at an artifact in the National Archaeological Museum
Arnold, Takuma, and John looking at an artifact in the National Archaeological Museum
Jan teaching us about a statue of Aphrodite in the archaeological museum
Jan teaching us about a statue of Aphrodite in the archaeological museum
The largest nativity scene I haver ever seen! (Naples is famous for these)
The largest nativity scene I haver ever seen! (Naples is famous for these)
Pizzeria Lombardi!
Pizzeria Lombardi!
I ate the whole thing....no shame here.
I ate the whole thing….no shame here.
Gelato from the oldest chocolate shop in the city!
Gelato from the oldest chocolate shop in the city!

All in all, the trip was short but sweet, and I’m glad that I got to spend my birthday while traveling in a beautiful area with my crazy yet lovable archie family!

Overlooking Mount Vesuvius at the charter house in Naples
Overlooking Mount Vesuvius at the charter house in Naples
It's not a field trip without a family picture!
It’s not a field trip without a family picture!

 

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