Rome via Brooklyn

330 words, 2 minute read time.

In hindsight, I am now realizing I should’ve brought my laptop with me to Naples. I unfortunately physically cannot do anything school-related on my phone, so here I am a whole week later, trying to remember anything at all that happened this day. The biggest thing I remember is definitely how hot it was. The sun and I REALLY do not go well together; I ultimately had to forfeit visiting the Pompeii ruins, as Herculaneum messed me up. It was still worth it to see the ancient city though, as I have an odd fascination with roads. Something about walking down the same paths that people thousands of years ago walked down greatly compels me.

Herculaneum really wore me out bad, and I knew I’d pass out if I spent any more time in the sun, so I spent the rest of the day around the hotel. I like being near the beach (both of my homes are near it), so just hanging out in the general vicinity of a body of water always calms me down. Modern Pompeii is genuinely a top-tier city for me, it’s just the perfect balance of everything. And I finally saw cats! I’ve been so deprived of seeing cats anywhere in Italy until Pompeii!

I’m pretty happy with my decision to take it easy after Herculaneum; I know myself, and I know I would’ve made the experience more miserable for everyone involved if I chose to visit ancient Pompeii.

After the literal rollercoaster of the regional train, the high-speed train back to Rome was perfectly comfortable. We were starving when we made it back, so we had a late dinner right before crashing for the night. It was important for me to get my sleep this night, as I won’t be getting much the next one.

–Nico Vila