Ashes to ashes, dust to ... plaster?

Yesterday's trip was to the former Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.  The interesting views of these communities preserved in their final hours on earth is a real testament to how real a threat mortality is.  However, it also shows how it is possible that your legacy can live on in a very interesting fashion.  In the case of some of Pompeii's less affluent citizens who were left behind, in the form of a cast of their final position as they were hit by the 800 degree F blast of a pyroclastic flow from nearby Vesuvius in August of 79 AD.

It is important not to despair, however, because the remaining inhabitants of the Roman empire went on to rule much of the known world for another 3 1/2 centuries.  It is curious to wonder how people 2000 years in the future will look back on our civilization.  Will they think that today's soccer games are as primitive as the gladiatorial games in Rome seem to us, or begin using phrases like, "it took them a whole 8 hours to get across the Atlantic!"  Who knows?  One thing is for sure, Pompei and Herculaneum are a testament to the fact that being accomplished alone does not guarantee you a place in history.  It also helps to keep a good written history your own accomplishments.  An interesting example is a rich fish sauce seller in Pompei who's vain frescoes tell us both his name and that he was one of the largest fish sauce manufacturers in ancient Rome.

In any case, I hope that I will be remembered rather in the history books than as a plaster cast buried by 10 feet of volcanic ash, but who knows.  Right now all we can do is live life.

In other news, today I went to Paestum, which includes some of the best preserved Doric architecture in Greek temples dating back 2500 years.  These were abandoned during Roman times due to an influx of Malaria.  All along, I've been helping my grandpa and pushing my grandparents to take new challenges.  This experience has reminded me that the definition of "adventure" changes with age.  What for me is merely an afternoon stroll, for my grandparents becomes a great challenge, but it is a pleasure to spend time with them, and I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be, except perhaps if my mom, Sam, Michael, and my friends could come along for the adventure too.

Also, the average age on the ship must be 60, but I have managed to meet a couple other young people who seem nice.  Well, I've got an active volcano to watch at 5AM my time, so I'm off.

Arrivederci!