Day 5: February 13th

Day 5:

We started the fifth day of our trip with a 7:30 wake up call. After getting ready and eating breakfast, we traveled to the Phlegraean Fields, Cumae, Baiae, and Pozzuoli. The way there was uneventful, most just hoping that the incident of yesterday (the incident being Micheal throwing up - for any who didn’t read yesterday's post) didn’t repeat itself. Fortunately for everyone it did not.

Our first stop of the day was Cumae. At the beginning of the tour of the ruins we went into the cave that was one of two possible locations that Aenaes supposedly spoke to the Oracle. The ruins we walked around were beautiful, and the view from the balcony from where we were looked out onto the ocean. We stayed on the balcony for a while, some took naps, we all looked at the view, some had a conversation about our sun, moon, and rising signs, and we all took pictures, it was during this process that I was adopted by my new father (sorry dad) Elsa.

The second stop on our journey through the Phlegraean Fields was Baiae. We were all very excited to find out that Baiae was where we first met Cornelia and the rest of the Cornelius family in the first chapter in Ecce Romani 1. The house we went through was so big and it had the most amazing view of the sea. At the end of our walk we ended up in a field of grass that used to be a training area and we all spelled out “Ave!” in the grass (this means Hail!) and then some of us participated in a few different races. One of them was a regular race, it was in this race that Joah started before I said go, but even though he cheated, he still lost to Micheal. After the races Ms. Green took us to a cool chamber that echoed any sound made.

PICTURE

Our third and final destination of the day was Pozzuoli. First, we had lunch. We walked along this side street and got food from a shop in a square, it was really good. Then we all got gelato, before spending some time at a beach overlooking the water. Our last stop of the day was an amphitheater in Pozzuoli. After Elena told us a little about the history of the amphitheater, and it’s connection to multiple emperors of Rome, we were allowed to walk around by ourselves. This was a mistake… and Micheal had another incident. No, he didn’t throw up again. This time he was joined by Joah and they only ‘accidentally’ trespassed and ended up on the wooden seats that overlook the middle of the amphitheater. Luck for them, Elena was there to defend their honor and no charges were pressed.

PICTURES

After a bus ride home during which everyone fell asleep, we had dinner. Tonight was the first night we were able to have special gnocchi made in Sorrento which was super delicious. After we ate dinner we celebrated Katerin’s birthday (yay!) and ate cake (double yay!).

PICTURE

After we got back to the hotel, we continued the nightly tradition of BS. Joah still lost, but this time Ms. Green joined us. I am also obligated to inform you that Micheal was about to win (an dby win I mean get like 7th place), but Nicki caught him in his lie and called BS so he got last instead. It was a great end to a great day.