After a quick breakfast of espresso and pastry (not sweet like our American-style!) we caught the train & then a subway into Naples. How much easier it is to travel with friends who know the ropes through the city! We spent all day at the museum, filled with “…collections of ancient exhibits of the world…” We focused primarily on halls of marble sculptures, “…inherited by the Burbons from the Farnese collections…”, and then went through rooms filled with “…treasures from Herculaneum and Pompeii...” Having visited Herculaneum and with plans to visit Pompeii, this was where the artifacts were to be found. I loved the frescos, mosaics, sculptures and ornaments from the homes, but most interesting were the almost ordinary-looking frying pan, two “cake pans”, and two other recognizably-styled pans that haven’t changed shape over all these centuries! There’s no use trying to describe the immensity of the museum itself as well as the enormity of the collections. I won’t confess to all the many photos I took, but I thought they were a fair representation of all we saw. Pretty much I picked one photo from the lot to represent the day, a statue of a Kore (a female Deity). Interestingly, many of these statues were “copies”, carved in the late 2nd century from the Greek originals that were made in the late 5th century BC.
When we left the museum, Billy & David wanted to take us to an area filled with shops making and selling only Christmas crèches and ornaments. I did step into one stall where a man was painting figurines, and he conversed with me in English, saying he’d just sent an order to Santa Barbara, California. Along the way, we stopped for pizza and beer, and swapped cameras to take group photos with another table of couples from Brazil.
Great sculpture! It sounds like you had a fantastic day. I think I would have loved that museum... I took a Greek & Roman art history class in college that I found fascinating.
Wow, what a fantastic sculpture! Sounds like you are having an amazing time. Always nice to have a local person to take you places instead of trying to find your way and decide what to see by yourself. I hope someday to see some sights other than my home state!
I'm still so far behind and have a few things to do for the funeral tomorrow but I wanted to be sure to come and say thank you so much for your kind words. So sad that she lost her battle. She fought harder than anyone I know and always had that huge beautiful smile on her face no matter how ill she was. That is a wig she has on because she had lost all of her hair. Now they don't even have the money to cremate her because this has wiped them out financially and she didn't have life insurance. I'm trying to find donations from various leukemia and cancer orgs but having a rough time. Ah well, sorry to unload on you!
Wow, Louise. This is so lovely. Wonderful photo of an awesome sculpture. You are living my life!!! Oh to be a mouse in your pocket. =) Enjoy every moment!
Wow! Was this shot with just available light? It came out great! How nifty to be able to to see the artifacts of these once great cities, as well as wondering the ruins.
the eye on the face she is holding is pretty life-like! i LOVE whiling away a day in a museum, and that one must have been spectacular!! i love reading about your adventures--thank you so much for taking the time to share it with us!!
Sorry you didn't get to see a lot of the old original sculptures, but had to make do with the Johnny-come-lately versions from the 2nd century. Nice job shooting this sculpture.
amazing sculptures....pizza in naples??? my mouth is watering...i bet it was sooo yummy, but different from the traditional american version, no? i have to tell you i was sooooo stoked that my name was first on the list on your last pic too **blushing** made me feel special!! have safe travels!
How fun! Christmas shopping in Italy (: I love these sculptures too--they are so classic and beautiful. It must be wonderful to see them "in person" I've only studied them in University and (mostly) seen reproductions.
Sounds like a wonderful day! I love marble sculptures - they are so exquisite! I finally found some time to come back and catch up with your adventures! Can't wait to see all the photos I've missed and read all the captions you write for us! ;-) I think of you often, knowing that you are having an amazing time on your trip! :-)
December 6th, 2010
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I'm still so far behind and have a few things to do for the funeral tomorrow but I wanted to be sure to come and say thank you so much for your kind words. So sad that she lost her battle. She fought harder than anyone I know and always had that huge beautiful smile on her face no matter how ill she was. That is a wig she has on because she had lost all of her hair. Now they don't even have the money to cremate her because this has wiped them out financially and she didn't have life insurance. I'm trying to find donations from various leukemia and cancer orgs but having a rough time. Ah well, sorry to unload on you!
I'm enjoying your commentary very much Louise, your description is wonderful :)