Pompeii – Arrival!
Hello readers! I apologize for the delay in updating my blog. We hit the ground running, so I have barely had time to collect my thoughts or even dash off a few emails.
The trip from Madrid to Naples went terribly wrong. I forgot that I had my calipers in my carry-on bag, and airport security took them away from me. Being me, I argued for about a minute that they were not sharp. The woman who was the x-ray technician was getting angry, and told the other person on duty that I had to have an “enhanced body check” or whatever they call them. I was so upset over my calipers at this point that the body check barely upset me. So, now I don’t have the tool I use the most and they cost $30. Boo hiss! I will have to see if I can get a replacement at the hardware store in town.
The weather has been fairly good since we arrived. It hasn’t been too oppressively hot, which always is a concern. The team spent a few days getting some wall analyses done before we got the permit to dig. We only have six people on the team this year, so it will be interesting to see how excavation goes. There is also a considerable amount of work that has to happen on my end after excavation is completed, and the pottery from the AAPP shrine area also has to be tackled before I leave in (gulp) 24 days.
Tent living has been going well. I have my trusty air mattress with my Thermarest on top for extra support. There was a spider in my tent that was biting my foot (I’m okay now, but the bites hurt a lot) but I think I killed it when I took everything out of my tent and rearranged stuff.
Today to celebrate Independence Day we had grilled hotdogs, caramelized onions and peppers (in an Italian beer reduction), and our normal salad fixings. It was a great way to keep the traditional food of the holiday! We bought the highest quality hotdogs at the market, but we were tempted by the ones with mustard already in them. It was also discovered that Italian ketchup tastes more tomato-y and also is more spicy than its American counterpart (yet still tasty)!
More updates (and maybe some photos) soon!
Well,we are glad to know that the ketchup is up to snuff, and that spicy is not all bad! I am sorry about your calipers. All I can say is that THAT won’t happen again! Bummer about the pat down/feel up they felt they had to give you and glad you were too pissed off to really notice since I know how you are about personal space, which, obviously was lacking there. Keep digging, keep categorizing, keep your chin in there. I have to go, your father is being, well, himself. Does that say enough? We will enjoy the fireworks and think of you. I was revisiting your blog and have some comments re: the photos. Had a nice long chat with G’ma and she is still not fine, but dealing with stuff. That fall was pretty hard on her, but she feels she will be better within the next few weeks. Ah, well, you do what you can.
Love,
Mom