This is a rolling blog. It will be updated daily as they check out Italy and Spain. New stuff will be posted as it comes in.

Check back often.

Let's get the obvious out of the way...

Vincent, Wendy and another couple are going on a cruise in the middle of this pandemic?

We'll let him explain.

Fragments of ash, pumice, and other volcanic debris began pouring down on Pompeii, quickly covering the city to a final depth of more than 18 feet and causing the roofs of many houses to fall in. Surges of pyroclastic material and heated gas, known as nuées ardentes, reached the city walls on the morning of August 25 and soon asphyxiated those residents who had not been killed by falling debris.

Almost the entire population of 11,000 died.

The main square in the heart of Pompeii.  In the back ground, is Mt. Vesuvius.

As we entered the ruins we stood in the middle of main street. Pompeii did not have underground sewer. All the streets sloped down and all the waste were lead into the streets. They always had running water to push the duty water down hill.

The 3 large stone are stepping stones to cross the street so as not to soil your feet. Notice the wheel tracks going between the stepping stones. That is how crosswalks were first used.

Here's a man's remains caked in ash. Looks like he is praying but he was covering his face from the smoke and ash.

At every major intersection there are wells with running water that fed the community for all their needs 2-hours a day.

The problem was the pipes that brought the water were all lead pipe. That is why most Roman's did not live past 50 years old. They were being poisoned.

Sandy and Wendy are standing in front of a house of ill repute.

How did they know? There are painted pictures of different positions to choose from on the walls. The upstairs were recently rebuilt.

After a visit to the building on the right...if you needed it...you might look for a house with this symbol on the front.

It's a doctor's office.  The snake is a symbol for medicine.