Climbing Mount Vesuvius

Looming over the towns that surround the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius appears to be an imposing force. As the only active volcano in the European continent, the Italians know the danger it poses but are willing to take the risk in order to utilize the fertile soil along its slopes. However, they did not always know that it used to be a volcano. Instead, before 79AD, most people thought that Vesuvius was simply a very high mountain. It did indeed appear so for it had a high pointed top. However, in 79AD, Vesuvius exploded, destroying its pointed top and famously covering Pompeii and Herculaneum in several feet of ash and magma. Overall only 2000 of 20,000 people in Pompeii died, but the city itself was devastated. Human remains, pottery, whole buildings, and art were preserved because of the magma that formed around it and carbonized. Faces writhing in pain and fear are viewable at Pompeii. The last major eruption occurred in 1944.

During my visit last weekend to Napoli, Pompeii, and Sorrento, I had the opportunity to climb Mount Vesuvius. Since its slopes are steep, the roads that lead to the Vesuvius National Park are twisting and winding ones that overlook drops of 360 degrees at any given s-curve. Loaded tightly into a van with about nine others, we ascended these free-inspiring roads. Our driver was cheerful though and paused at the points that offered the best view over the towns, mountains, and bay below.

When I finally reached the top, I climbed even higher along the trails, stumbling on maroon volcanic dirt and rock through the Vesuvius National Park.

The only barrier between myself and a long fall was a wooden fence that appeared as though it had just been raised yesterday. I thought that all of the walking that I had been doing around Rome had gotten me into better shape but I was wrong. I huffed and puffed my way up the long trail and finally reached the top.

The view into the volcano was as spectacular as the view over the land below. I was over 4000 feet above sea level. As I gazed into the core of the volcano, the air smelled slightly of sulfur. Meanwhile the walls of the volcano smoked because of the gases and heat within. Very little vegetation existed within it. The lava, I was told, bubbled layers beneath the surface for the time being. What I could see of the lava were its remnants; along the wall of the core of Vesuvius, the two dark lines were visible marking the points that the lava had reached during the last two explosions.

It was only slightly frightening to be up that high on an active volcano that could have exploded at any moment. However as I learned, many scientists monitored the volcano’s activity. Either their machines would get set off or we would have experienced major earthquakes if Vesuvius was about to explode. Still, I like to think that I was at least in some danger!

A New Role

All this time I have been relaxing and enjoying myself, happily being led along by those more knowledgeable than I am in all things Rome; my home stay mother, my program director, my program director’s assistant, and my professors. However, when my parents arrived fully prepared to enjoy the activities planned for Family Week, my role switched drastically in two ways. Suddenly I was the omnipotent professor and dependable parent leading around my awe-struck parents. It made me laugh at first, cringe when our travels became stressful because of time constraints, and frustrated when buses were late or any more walking was impossible. Despite it all, we roved all around parts of Rome that were both new and old to me, experiencing every piece of the city except for one.

Since I am somewhat experienced with the important parts of Rome, I naturally made sure that my parents spent time at the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Vatican. Yet there were a few other activities that I view as special that we did because not many people that I know have taken the time to experience them.

First, we went to the Quirinal Palace which throughout time has been used as a home by the popes, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the Presidents of Italy. It was simultaneously beautiful and intimidating. Situated on a hill, my mother and I walked a steep staircase behind a flock of Italian tourists. Once we reached the top we were greeted by the sight of a monumental obelisk and fountain. After taking in its size and significance, we took our places in line and realized that everyone around us could only speak Italian. “Va be’, posso farlo,” or “Whatever, I can do it,” I thought. After the man at the front desk gave me a bit of hard time, asking if I was truly a student, I managed to get in for free and my mother only had to pay five Euro! Then we followed the long line of people, weaving in and out of gilded rooms decorated with sculptures, oil paintings, tapestries, antique furniture, and gold. To witness the glory of this old Italian Palace, we were blown away.

Another day, my mother, my father, and I ventured into the Monument of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy who fought to unite the country during the Risorgimento. After climbing several flights of steps and admiring a gigantic equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II, we made it to the entrance. Within was the Museum of the Risorgimento, filled with swords, guns, oil paintings, bronze busts, and photographs all dedicated to the efforts of the Risorgimento. It was all something that my father particularly enjoyed because as a history buff, he naturally has a passion for it. Yet what surprised us all was the glass elevator –very reminiscent of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory—that took us to the very peek of the monument.From there we had a 360 degree view of the city. None of us had ever been so high above Rome before! The photos do not do it justice, but it was beyond gorgeous and breath-taking.

During the rest of the week we enjoyed Italain cappuccino, croissants, pasta, meats, and wines. With satisfied stomachs we would continue to trapse around museums, fountains, churches, and piazzas, completely content to be in Rome together, even when it rained or we did not feel well.

Overall, Family Week helped me to see Rome from the eyes of the touristic industry for the first time. Before, I had viewed myself as separate from the tourists; I was living in Rome, not visiting it! So by being simultaneously a guide or a tourist, Rome appeared new to me. I rediscovered its beauty and history with the people that are as precious to me as all of my experiences in this city have been.