We got an early morning start, walking from our motel, just down the street, to the site of the ancient ruins of Pompeii. This was no normal visit to the site. As a matter of fact, we didn't even see some of the main attractions most people see when they come to Pompeii. What we spent the day looking at were the sites normally prohibited to visitors. These were the most intact houses with some of the largest and best preserved wall paintings. We didn't just look and leave, we spent an hour or two in a building with expert commentary by Eleanor Leach.

I wish I could relate the day's itinerary, but I don't know if it would have much meaning to you. Pompeii is a large complex with row after row of houses and other private and public buildings. The walls were generally plastered and then painted with decorative art. There are a number of types or periods of style. Many of the scenes painted on the wall come from Greek mythology. There are also garden scenes and scenes meant to extend the depth of the room by its ornamentation or depiction of scenes outside the walls of the home.

It was a long and hot day. We walk and stood and walked and stood. Once in awhile we would find some place to sit, preferably in the shade. But it was a beautiful, sunny, day with a nice breeze and low humidity. There was a nice cafeteria on site with clean bathrooms. Because we saw just the special stuff, some people are planning to go back on Saturday morning and walk through the site again just to see the usual things.

After such a hot and tiring day, I actually put on my swimming suit and got into the hotel pool. Not something I normally do. It worked out fine. The pool was very refreshing. We had a great time. Dinner was very light. There was a pasta dish followed by tomatoes and mozzarella with some sautéed mushrooms. It was finished off by a little slice of ice cream with thin layers of chocolate. When I first started my time in Rome at the American Academy, I privately referred to the time as "Classical Studies Urban Boot Camp." Because of the relative scarcity of food in recent weeks, I've begun thinking of it as Classical Studies Fat Camp." My clothes are fitting much looser than they did when I started. That's a good thing; I was hoping that would happen, so I can't really complain about that.

Tomorrow I give my presentation in the Naples Museum. I'm a bit nervous about that, since most everyone I'm talking to are Classical Studies professors. I am eager to hear their comments and how they might help me make my case stronger. In the afternoon we are going to stop at the site of Herculaneum. I'm looking forward to that. We might be done earlier in the afternoon - more time in the pool.