Visiting Pompeii
With my family (2024)
This summer, I had the incredible chance to visit Pompeii with my family while we were in Italy. We had a three-hour-long guided tour of the site, and the historical events that occurred there are truly captivating. Pompeii, an ancient Roman city, was destroyed and buried under volcanic ash due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city was remarkably well-preserved under the ash, providing a unique snapshot of Roman life frozen in time.
During the whole visit, I was so interested and asked questions whenever I sought a deeper understanding. For instance, I learned that the eruption covered Pompeii in at least 19 feet (6 meters) of ash and debris (the site hasn't been fully excavated, so you can still see parts of it buried under mounds of dirt!). This catastrophic event preserved buildings, artifacts, and even the forms of the victims. The city was rediscovered in the late 16th century, and major excavations began in the mid-18th century, marking the start of modern archaeology.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Pompeii is how it offers a detailed look at everyday Roman life, because life there stopped in such a short amount of time. The ruins include well-preserved homes, shops, and public buildings, complete with frescoes and mosaics that depict scenes of daily activities. Walking through the ancient streets, I could almost imagine the bustling life that once filled the city, you could see the marks where the wheels of carriages used to roll, as the streets had deep tracks from years of use.
Apart from the burning heat, which was around 30 degrees Celsius, this visit was one of the highlights of my trip to Italy. The surroundings were stunning, with the ruins set against the backdrop of Mount Vesuvius. The contrast between the ancient city and the volcano was both beautiful and haunting, a reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of human life.
To further enrich our experience, our guide shared many intriguing details about the daily lives of Pompeii's inhabitants. For example, we learned about the advanced engineering of their aqueducts and the sophisticated design of their homes, which included features like underfloor heating. These insights made the visit even more engaging and educational.
Overall, visiting Pompeii was an unforgettable experience. The combination of historical significance and natural beauty made it a truly remarkable place to visit. It was a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations and the stories that lie beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.
The Big Apple
November 4th to 6th, 2023
November 4th 2023
After 7 hours of bus, we finally set foot in The Big Apple. For the next five hours, we are free to explore this concrete jungle. I made the decision to go with a small group of friends, and we began by checking out Bryant Park's Christmas market. We stopped at a few delicious restaurants and bought many little souvenirs before making our way to Times Square. When we got there, we strolled around the red stairs to see if any Broadway shows were worth attending for the next day. We came across some locals and asked if they had any good suggestions to give us (which they did). Taking advantage of the occasion, we also asked them where in New York City could we get our hands on the best pizza. Not far from Times Square, there's a tiny authentic pizza place which I forgot the name of, but that is where they told us to go, so we had supper there! This concludes our first day in New York City.
November 5th 2023
We were dropped off at Bryant Park again on the second day. After picking up some warm and tasty pastries, a few of my friends and I took the subway to SoHo. We wandered around and paused multiple times to admire some fun little stands in the streets. Then, we looked around the Chelsea Flea Market and, again, bought some little souvenirs. When we met up with friends in Times Square later that day, we were very lucky to come across Vinnie Hacker and took some pictures with him. After enjoying a delicious dinner at a lovely Mexican restaurant, we returned to the hotel.
November 6th 2023
On our last day in New York, we had the amazing opportunity to visit the United Nations headquarters. We got to see the general assembly as well as the security council chamber. During this visit, we learned a lot about the ONU goals and went over it's history. When the visit was over, we headed back to Lachine.