first person
I've been fortunate to travel to many places in my lifetime, but one place in particular stands out from all the rest. Italy holds a richness of humanity that fascinated me more than any place I have ever visited. One place that had perhaps the richest and longest history was the ancient lost city of Pompeii. This city was covered in ash after a volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D., and the remains of the city allow archaeologists to learn a great deal about the people that once lived there.
As I walked through this city on a sunny day in May 2005 I felt transported back to a time before Christ. So much of this ancient city of 15,000 still remains, even individual people captured in the position from which they took their last breath. Roads show the wear of wagon wheel ruts, complete with sidewalks and stepping stones for pedestrians to walk across because the sewer system at this time ran along the roadside. Sliding doors were used during this time period, made evident by the marks left behind on stores and homes scattered throughout the deserted city. The six meters of ash even preserved enough to learn about the foods people ate in Pompeii. Bakeries still had bread in the ovens when the lost city was found. It was amazing to see the rich history of humanity that remains locked like a treasure in this little country 4,000 miles from home. The impact of seeing the remains of early human life made this experience something I will never forget.
It was also fascinating to see firsthand such historic monuments like the famous statue of David in Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Coliseum and the Vatican in Rome, the home and museum of Leonardo Da Vinci and so many beautiful duomos.
The cross-cultural trip also taught me what it’s like to be a stranger in a foreign country. I enjoyed interacting with the Italian people and other visitors in the country. I met Germans, Austrians, Australians, and Italians on a daily basis and communicated with them even though we didn’t speak each others languages. This part of the experience showed me how good it was for my soul to relate to other people of completely different backgrounds than my own. Even though I only knew the basic Italian phrases, I had a long conversation with a man named Guanaro about politics, the American culture, and spirituality. We shared a bond that I could never have experienced without this trip.
I would love to travel to Italy again and visit new sights and revisit the sights that I have already seen. I’m glad to have shared the experience with my teammates. I think it’s safe to say each of us gained insights that opened our eyes. Whether it was the admiration for the giant Coliseum or the friendly conversations with the Italians as our hosts, the unforgettable trip was something I would recommend for anyone who gets the chance. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back, and now I have the memories to cherish for a lifetime.
