Pompeiian Bricks Blue sky, ancient red brick, and bright sun. There could not have been a better day to visit Pompeii. Most people focus on the destruction inflicted by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, but the strength of ancient construction is fascinating. This red brick wall endured a volcanic eruption and the eroding forces of time. October 8, 2009
Headless Berliner Berlin was once a city marked by endless war, as displayed by this headless, limbless, and bullet riddled statue. October 7, 2009
Cool Blue Trevi A cool blue evening fell upon the Trevi Fountain in Rome as a pleasant breeze gave respite from the barely tolerable warm wet air of summer. Romans and foreigners alike enjoyed the Trevi Fountain this fine evening in August. Italy is a country crisscrossed by aqueducts (modern and ancient) and the Trevi Fountain marks the end of the Acqua Vergine, an aqueduct with roots dating back to 19 BCE. Designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762, the Trevi Fountain unites the community like so many Roman fountains. An art historian told our group that the Trevi Fountain's land was acquired by eminent domain (not fact-checked) and that the site was once a private residence. On this issue the world can agree that government intervention, along with skilled artisans and designers, brought beauty and enjoyment to countless millions! October 3, 2009
