Day Nine, Tuesday: For our final full day in Italy a trip to the ancient ruins of Pompeii was planned. Pompeii was a major city that existed before and during the heyday of the Roman Empire. With a population of 18,000, on August 24, 79 ad the neighboring Mt. Vesuvius blew its top (literally) killing everyone that stayed in town almost instantly, from it's lethal gas. The aftermath of the volcano buried the city in 18 feet of ashes where it was forgotten for 1700 years! In the mid 1700’s while digging to lay water pipes, it was discovered. A 2000-year-old city, almost completely in its entirety. This gave us more insight into the everyday lives of people living during this amazing time than ever imagined. And we walked its streets in a guided tour.
We finished in time for a late lunch of pizza. Excellent pizza from the area where pizza was invented, Naples. A little shopping and then the three-hour bus ride back to Rome. In Rome we had dinner (pizza again), and then back to the hotel to pack for the trip home.
Day Ten, Wednesday: The trip home. British Airways cancelled our flight from London to Chicago. We were probably going to have to spend the next night in London. They informed our chaperones about this at 12:30 am. Nice. I’m sure they had fun trying to sleep after that wonderful news. However due to the efforts of Mrs. Miller, Mr. St John and Jonathon they were able to pull off a miracle. They were able to get us on a direct flight from Rome to Chicago via Alitalia. Hurrah! We all got home safe and sound, earlier than expected and they even got our luggage there with us. Welcome to America!
In conclusion, while I learned that traveling with a group of high school students can be at the least interesting and bordering on frustrating, I think these kids were great. Sure there was a little rough housing, excessive chit chat, staying up too late at night, being tired and cranky in the mornings, picky eating habits and just too much “drama” in general, but this is the life of a teenager. They are at a transitional period in their lives moving from childhood to soon becoming adults. We all go through this and it isn’t easy.
But I also saw a respect for each other. I witnessed this when the guys were protecting the girls on the dance floor from the aggressive and leering locals. In addition they were allways respectful to their teachers and the adults when called upon. So I learned from them, too.
While I missed my wife and wished that she could be with us, I enjoyed the company of these fine young people and all of their adult counterparts. Many thanks to Mrs. Miller, Mr. St. John, Mrs. Consiglio and Mrs. Adamska for taking us on an excellent well paced and organized trip. I highly recommend this class trip to anyone considering it in the future.
Without a doubt I think that these students will remember things from this trip and it will have lasting effects on them for the rest of their long lives. With all the things we experienced, both the kids and the adults, we all have something very special now that can never be taken away. We will always have the memories of “The Trip of a Lifetime”.
March 24 - April 2, 2008
The Trip of a Lifetime
Ridgewood High School Italian Class Goes to Italy 2008
* NEW Pages Added !
With NEW PHOTOS !!!
