European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 8, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Focus several Wall paintings survived the deluge of the smaller of two Pompeii Amphitheatres is still used for summer 1 he ruins of a plunge into Italy past by Anna Maria Esposito and Lon Cabot Naples Bureau time stopped for the citizens of Pompeii in 79 with the violent eruption of nearby mount pets and pottery were caught in a tidal wave of molten Rock and in the space of Pompeii was buried 20 feet today the City is the largest excavated site in the a Tuomi Desquare archaeological dig that attracts More than 2 million visitors each located about 13 Miles South of off the Naples Salerno the site is an easy 25minute drive from Naples and the route is Well Entrance costs lire about per vendors at Small stands at both entrances and exits to the ruins offer a variety of informational guides and maps to the although prices vary from one Vendor to a Little bickering May save you Money on brochures or once inside the armed with one of the maps that May be purchased for a variety of prices depending on How elaborate they you May either strike out on your own or hire a tour guides inside the ruins Are sanctioned by the historical society of Pompeii and offer an information packed tour for lire about an guides offer special group prices As its usually to your advantage not to accept the first Price youre quoted for a even in the shopping around May save you several the ruins of Pompeii must be so Wear comfortable while the ancient pathways through the ruins have been ruts and the Stone walkways mean watching your some 200 custodians Are assigned to patrol the entire area and Are often willing to provide answers to questions that might come up if youre touring without the help of one of the authorized like most speak English fairly and although they Arent allowed to give  frequently Point out some of the Sutof therway sights among the from the archway where the ruins actually tourists Are Given the Opportunity to envision the Pompeii of centuries one Side of the entranceway was used by chariots and horses entering the City while the Side under the Arch was used for pedestrian a guide tells from the archway visitors will be guided through old roman houses that still Bear the names of their original occupants and a fenced vault where pottery and household items used by residents of pre volcanic Pompeii Are also displayed in the vault Are plaster casts of victims of the Vesuvius grimaces of pain and fright Are Frozen on the faces of figures archaeologists formed by pouring liquid plaster in the empty spaces decomposed bodies left in layers of solidified some skeletons unearthed by archaeologists Are displayed in Glass cases throughout the ruins and show that some residents of Pompeii died vainly trying to save their jewelry or family a Skeleton of a Young Man seems Frozen in a scene that indicates he was trying to protect his wife and daughter from the volcanic while some exhibits in the ruins graphically depict the throes of the Overall atmosphere is far from the relinked Graffiti scrawled on Walls paintings depicting the erotic Side of the romans and other signs of life left by the cites former inhabitants add a surrealism to the the Amphitheater where christians fought gladiators and Lions nearly comes alive a tour typical sight on a tour through the ruins of once proud pillars line the City forum near the Palace of plaster casts of the victims of Pompeii Are displayed with excavated pottery and other guide recalls in vivid detail the Barbaric entertainment in which Pompeii ans once forums and Public ruins of Acqua ducts and Small shops where Grain was meted out All bespeak a Small part of the history that lies in once outside the the scenery Doest change very local administrators in Pompeii Long ago passed ordinances that require even the new Pompeii to retain As much of the characteristics of the old City As there Arent any skyscrapers in shops specializing in the production of Coral jewelry and cameos Are hidden behind Walls that seem As old As the ruins another attraction in besides the ruins and the Are the jazz concerts and plays held each summer inside the this years Pompeii jazz which will be held in the ruins will feature Ray Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar the program and dates have not been restaurants Are scattered along the streets outside the ruins and offer a variety of typical italian an average full course meal of a meat or fish bread and wine costs about lire about most restaurants also feature a tourist menu of set courses and is priced at about lire visitors who want to spend More than a Day in Pompeii will find hotel accommodations available at reasonable secondhand third class hotels that offer Baths with their rooms Cost an average of lire about for a campsites and trailers Are also available for rent by the week for Between and lire about to the Uso in Naples also arranges Tours to Connie of the Uso office at the naval support activity in said her office could provide information or prices on accommodations available in the Pompeii the Naples Uso can be reached at 0817244664 or whether coming from the North or signs to the ruins make it virtually impossible to miss the exit from the the Autostrada tolls depending on where you entered the even from the southernmost Entrance the fee would be about lire about from Naples the fee is lira about 75 the local tourist Bureau office is directly to the right of the toll Booth and is open from 9 to and to the Bureau provides free information and brochures on local area hotels and Gas stations along the Autostrada from Naples to Pompeii do not accept nato Gas so Drivers Are advised to either be prepared to pay Cash or have enough Gas for the roundtrip 10 stripes Magazine August 1985 August stripes Magazine