As we made our way through the ruins of Pompeii, trees and greenery began to engulf our fields of vision.
Due for a proper feast and a well deserved rest, we found ourselves at the ancient stadium.
After noticing a dog introducing itself to all of the other stadium dwellers, it was as if we were chosen to play and hang with the furry friend.
The pup made itself part of our crew and did as we were doing. Just hanging out and eating. "Pomps" was named and a new friend was warmly welcomed to join us.
After finishing the meal, we stood up and told Pomps to "show us where we need to go". Pomps understood this and began to lead the way.
The canine swerved away from the tourist attracted parts of the grounds and took us to the back where there were none.
This area was silent and seemed to have been untouched by any disaster. It's as if this is exactly what this area was used for in 79 AD.
We turned the faucet on for Pomps to have a drink and our four legged escort turned it's back and ventured off. "Ciao Pomps! Grazie!!"
Duper and I continued our stroll and stumbled upon an excavation site. Quite a find.
This bathhouse was one of the only structures in Pompeii with a roof that did not collapse. Because of it's rounded top, the weight of the ash was dispersed and survived the room in nearly a pristine state.
The real kicker to Pompeii's "survival" is the way the excavators recovered so much material. The ash buried the city, hardened and incinerated most things it had covered. The scientists would dig and come to a void in the dirt. They filled these holes with plaster and would then dig around it after it hardened. What they would find are perfectly "in tact" forms of statues, toys, loaves of bread still in ovens, cultural artifacts, etc. Tons of waters pots are on display.
Even human bodies. This is the most amazing part of Pompeii. This is how the energy of a once thriving city is still very much apparent. People laying on the ground covering their mouths from the ash, families laying together in their last moments, dogs on leashes dancing on top of the falling ash until no slack was left in the line, even prisoners chained by the foot have been recovered in the plaster molds. It's as if one second the city was moving and the next second it just stopped.
The Heart of Pompeii Still Beats.