Conquering Mount Vesuvius: A Personal Story
Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano on the southern coast of Italy neighboring the coastal city of Naples. It erupted in 79 AD and, to the dismay of the thriving civilization at the time, it destroyed the neighboring Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Completely.
And I'm about to hike this thing.
Image Credit: Leah Levine
"Start at Stazione Centrale a Piazza Garibaldi and take the Circumvesuviana Sorrento Line to Pompeii. After taking the Sorrento Line towards Pompeii, make a left towards the camping park and buy your 20 euro ticket to the top!" Monica, my par excellence Airbnb Host, explains, "Sound easy?"
It should have been. The trek up the mountain was not initially planned on my fall break vacation to Naples, but the line was way too long to see Pompeii and I, for some reason, thought my Air Force One's would give the same strength as a military man.
Not the case...
As I exit the bus all I see are ecstatic seniors and families with young children in North Face jewel-toned hiking gear, complete with the official black hiking sticks, mud brown boots and puffer jackets ready for the snow.
I, on the other hand, came decked out in my tamale black gaucho pants, a thin loose sweater and an olive green bomber jacket for every season. I was not ready. Alex, my friend, similarly chose fashion first sporting a mini dress and tights.
The wind had fun with that.
After putting one foot in front of the other for around 20 minutes, all I could think was when would I reach the top. The wind kept blowing me towards the guard rail, senior citizens were passing me like professionals and it kept getting colder.
Image Credit: Leah Levine
Shortly after, I was out of breath and I knew it wasn't over. My legs were burning from the pebble size lava rocks that were hitting my calves with every step that I made.
Once I reached the top, though, I felt proud. The jagged edges of rock work together to form the circular mass. I stared at the gigantic sunken hole, the smoke quietly seeping out of the rock.
Vesuvius is alive and well.
Image Credit: Leah Levine
I smiled at all the groups of experienced hikers with a look of certainty that I'd done something that I would remember for the rest of my life. It's a trial worth conquering, well worth the blood, sweat and tears that I assure you will come.
How to Get There
1. I found my flight on Transavia, only 30 euro from Paris directly to Naples.
2. Always check out Airbnb, Monica was a stupendous host and invited me to come back and sail on her boat.
3. Start from the Stazione Centrale a Piazza Garibaldi which is also a shopping centre too.
4. Lastly, make sure to buy your ticket on the Circumvesuviana Train. Then, take the Sorrento Line towards Pompeii and start the adventure.
