European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 7, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                I t a l y t it i. A a or ,. M to \ s v r i?v4 u \ to \3 a a. A it \ a l is Hgt a t it % we it i t a a or. So. It y t Vij i pc -3quot it a it. Ecra Ter a cars a stunning View of a a Fie Narf be of Eft. Tourists get an xi#4�$zl up Fose took at the Crater. For a amps Katherine Lawson a. A v of the population. From the top of Vesuvius the landscape gains a new perspective. As mountains go Vesuvius is a pygmy a 4,227 feet High. The lower slopes Are Green with vegetation and residents who tend gardens and hang laundry seem oblivious to the danger lurking above. A some locals sell wine made from grapes grown on the lower slopes made Fertile from the decomposed Ash. On the upper slopes lava from past eruptions have overcome the vegetation and the Mountain becomes More Barren and forbidding. About Halfway up is an Observatory where the seismic activity to continually monitored. The Road ends at a parking lot where buses unload and vendors sell statues of Gray Volcano Rock fashioned from everything from puppies to the last supper. Past the souvenir stands and buses and refreshment stands a floor path of cinders and lava stones leads to the Crater. In contrast to the Stark Summit of Vesuvius the View is startling. Along the curve of the coast villages emerge among the Orange and Lemon Groves to the South and the streets of Naples form an erratic pattern to the North. The Crater appears innocent enough like the Mountaintop is simply yawning after a Nap. The Gray and Terra Cotta Rock shines in the Sun a Jet of steam spouts Here and there. Looking Down from the Southern Side of the Crater the Pompeii ruins come into View a reminder of the Volcano s Power. Katherine Lawson is a treo Lance writer living in Naples Italy. A. Travellers tips a How to get there to get to Vesuvius take the Naptes Salerno Highway a-3 and exit at Ercolano or Torre Del Greco follow signs for the Crater. Near the top about six Miles up the Road Forks. The Road to the right leads to a defunct chairlift. Take the Road to the left. A Tours one Day Tours to Vesuvius and Pompeii or Herculaneum Are held regularly from the naval support activity near Naples. Call the Naples itt at Dos 6254165 or 39 81 724-4165, or the Uso at Dan 6254664 or 39 81 724-4664. A pointers a trip up Vesuvius requires a Clear Day. Check for Mist around the Mountain before heading to the top. Wear sturdy walking shoes with nonskid  can rent walking Sticks for a Small donation. There s also a charge of 5,000 lire about $3.25 to View the Crater. The guides who assure that tourists stay away from the Crater Are Seldom available. Stay out of the Crater a it can be dangerous. A Katherine Lawson for a amps Katherine Lawson for a amps Katherine Lawson a souvenir shop near the parking lot offers pottery and other local Folk. Art above. Tourists Check out the wares offered at the shop right. For 5&s Katherine Lawson Juty 7, 1994. Stripes Magazine 9 a