The city of Pompeii looked like a city you might find in this day and age. The city had places serving food lining the streets, houses of varying sizes, bakeries, and brothels. A large cemetery marked the entrance to the ruins. We went through the cemetery and over a bridge to get into the town. It didn't take long before we saw our first resident. He was forever incased in lava and plaster, laying where he died.

In what is called the Garden of the Fugitives, thirteen people huddled together trying to shield themselves from the storm of lava, ash, pumice, and stone. This was the first and largest grouping of people that we saw as we walked through the city.

Brilliant frescoes remain on the walls, and their colors and detail are still visible. Some places were nothing more than stone houses with open rooms that no longer showed sign of their past inhabitants while other homes were filled with beautiful wall paintings and tiling on the floor. That was the thing that got to me.

The people of Pompeii also enjoyed gladiator games and had a large amphitheater on the far side of the town. You can still see the gladiator quarters.

Center court has churches and forums. Mount Vesuvius looms ominously in the background.

Pompeii was, by far, the best part of Italy to us. While walking the cobblestone streets, you could imagine when the city was vibrant, alive, like it once was on the fateful morning of August 24, 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted.