Thor's Life Notes
Photographs along the way

Ercolano

We visit the archaeologic site of Herculaneum and its destroyer, Vesuvius
IMG_7254 On narrow European streets, smaller is better, so Poldi rented a Fiat 500 6-speed for our visit to Naples. She paid extra so that we could both be drivers. I...
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On narrow European streets, smaller is better, so Poldi rented a Fiat 500 6-speed for our visit to Naples. She paid extra so that we could both be drivers. I was pleased that the seat could accommodate my long legs and I looked forward to driving a manual again. Normally, I drive, she navigates, but as I attempted to pull out of the rental car lot, it became apparent that something was wrong. I could not feather the clutch, and hitting the brake pedal caused the engine to rev. My feet were too big to fit in the well, and my shoes were interfering with the side wall and the other pedals. I could not drive this car!
Poldi came to the rescue. Her dainty size-9 feet were compatible with the assumptions made by Fiat’s engineers, and she was able to drive to our accommodations (more on that later). I don’t measure up to her navigator skills, so I’m wondering if maybe all I need is a pair of fine Italian shoes to drive this car.
IMG_7258 We arrive at the hostel where we will be spending the next week.
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We arrive at the hostel where we will be spending the next week.
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IMG_7256 The gate at the hostel.
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The gate at the hostel.
IMG_7259 The courtyard entrance. One of the hostel rooms is the camper trailer parked at the left.
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The courtyard entrance. One of the hostel rooms is the camper trailer parked at the left.
IMG_7261 We check in at the front desk.
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We check in at the front desk.
IMG_7263 The bar and snack area.
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The bar and snack area.
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IMG_7329 Pomegranate tree in our hostel courtyard.
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Pomegranate tree in our hostel courtyard.
IMG_7275 Commons area at the hostel, often occupied by cats.
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Commons area at the hostel, often occupied by cats.
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IMG_7281 The entry to Herculaneum, a city buried by the ashes of Vesuvius in 79 CE.
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The entry to Herculaneum, a city buried by the ashes of Vesuvius in 79 CE.
IMG_7288 The lush walkway at the surface level approaching the site.
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The lush walkway at the surface level approaching the site.
IMG_7284 The view down into the excavation site.
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The view down into the excavation site.
1X6A0024 The wall on the right indicates how much has been excavated to expose Herculaneum. The bottom was once the beach and shoreline.
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The wall on the right indicates how much has been excavated to expose Herculaneum. The bottom was once the beach and shoreline.
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1X6A0034 Courtyard and buildings in Herculaneum.
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Courtyard and buildings in Herculaneum.
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