I had been to Pompeii once before. My late husband made a point of having one free day from a very busy Italian cities scheduled business trip, so I could see Pompeii. As it happened that free day long ago was on a Monday, then a chiuso, close, day for museums in Italy. Even now after all those years gone by, I still remember with acute embarrassment the time when the attendant at the gate entrance in Pompeii told us we could not see it. My instant reaction was a flood of tears that nothing could stop until my husband took pity and told me we were coming back next day.
On those days Pompeii did not have so many tourist about. We had a guide who took us to the then most important sites. Every time since, when I read about Pompeii I had always felt I wanted to go back. I have been many times to Italy but only once to Pompeii.
The Senior Classics Project Latin Course has been and is a magic experience in so many ways: The friendliness of teachers and class-mates alike is unbeatable. Ginny is great, very dedicated teacher, who obviously has a passion for Latin and it communicates to us students Then there are the exercises to keep the brain working thus keeping Alzheimer's at bay and a personal challenge to be able to read the ancients.
Learning about everyday life of a family in Pompeii almost two thousand years ago made me want to go back to Pompeii. Only this time; going to Pompeii had a purpose, it was like: going back home to meet longtime friends.
I decided I was going to do just that. I told a dear friend in Spain I was going to Pompeii and she, (ancient history professor) sent me an e-mail right back saying she also was coming if I would agree to visit Florence as well. It was settled; she would do all arrangements from Spain. Another friend from Mexico also coming to Spain and then Italy so we could be together just as we did two years ago in Tunisia. Great!
Due to emergency health problems my Spanish friend was not able to make it to Italy but Mexican and Australian would have to manage with all the notes provided. My main purpose of the visit was Caecilius home and take a picture of him at the Museo Nacionale di Napoli, a task better said than done!
Fortune seemed to be with us that day. We arrived in Naples... what the heck, Napoli sounds better. So we arrived in Napoli from Florence in the early afternoon, we are in a taxi to take us from the railway station to our hotel in Piazza dei Municipio, walking distance. Driver tells us it will be 16 Euros, after I queried it (there being a sign advising of fares inside his cab) we got the fare down to 10 Euros!! Not bad and he did not get a tip. Then the concierge at the hotel told us we must walk to the museum, it being a short passegiatta. Thus we walked to the museum. On Sundays (it was Sunday 16 October, my camera is an Aussie one and thus 8 hours ahead), the shops along the via Toledo were chiusi, closed, because of siesta time. But the museum was open and on Sundays it is free entrance. Thank you, Fortuna!
After we had seen most of the wings and halls including the secret hall of erotica of Pompeii it was time to ask for our friend Caecilius. Nope, "we could not see him because the hall and wing were he is kept is closed." I persevered in my best Italian, told the friendly young chap that I have come all the way from Australia; have read and studied his (Caecilius) life. Pleeease!
Well, the man must have had second thoughts because he told us to follow him. We did.
We came up to three ladies talking, we were introduced and he left, back to his post I imagine. One of the ladies asked what I wanted. I, again, told her my story, she said: "OK, come with me I shall see what I can do for you. Now go to the mezzanine floor and up the right-hand steps, wait for me by the double doors there." So we did and waited and waited. Eventually the lady attendant came back with the keys. Told us we could only have one minute inside and no pictures. Since I am a person who cannot hide my feelings when I am either very happy or very sad, she must have seen the disappointment I felt for she said: Ok, one photo, no flash. Going through that wing of the museum we quickly passed by the most beautiful things and statues one could possible imagine, and I have seen many beautiful things and statues in my life. What a pity they are not on show on the other hand are they being preserved and kept for future generations? Anyhow, we came to this hall and there he was; Caecilius ancestor's head, neck and shoulders, all black bronze on pink marvel. I quickly took two photos, showing the attendant before I took them that the flash was off. Thanks again, Fortuna! Three times in one afternoon Fortuna was with us.
On the way back from the museum some shops open and people doing their evening passegiatta. We had a nice dinner of fish and vegetables, we needed a rest from pizza and pasta. And we had chosen a the best place to have such meal in all Napoli, so the tourist guide told us when we got back the hotel. Fortuna's hand again?
Next day it was Pompeii and Herculaneum day. Monday, too, but this time wide open for the thousand of tourist visiting.
Arriving at Caecilius door another gentleman was there, his wife taking pictures of him at the gate. Now, who would want to have his/her picture taken outside our friend's villa unless it is someone like us students of Cambridge Latin Book I? Not being shy when my curiosity prompts me, I did ask him few questions. Yep, he was a fellow student of Cambridge Latin Course Unit 1, alas not for Americans; his was for English. So we exchanged few opinions about the book and discussed "our" family including Quintus, Metella and all of them, much to the chagrin of his partner and my Mexican friend. In all the excitement Amparo left Caecilius villa minus a picture of her there. Oh, well my Mexican Dr. (anesthetist) will do just fine, after all it is Caecilius villa we came to see did we not?
Page 6 ~ DID YOU KNOW?