h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Paestrum, Italy – May 4, 2007

According to legend, Paestrum was established by Jason and the Argonauts. The Greek temples there were devoted to Poseidon, Athena and Hera. The site is located between of Salerno and Sicily.

The excellent state of preservation of the Paestrum ruins is attributed to abandonment of the area due to malaria and marauding Arabs. Admission is 5€, 6€ with the museum. The lady selling the tickets says, “Museo? No Museo?” Eventually I catch on and go for the Museo option.

The Museum has many fine examples of pottery, statues and frescos. You can see soldiers carving each other up and the blood is still red on some of the artwork.

The site was rediscovered about the time of the American Revolution and was an important stop on the “Grand Tour”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tour

The Argonauts were mythical sailors on the ship Argo.

We drove some back roads out of Paestrum on the way to Sicily. In a small mountain town the inhabitants seem to consist entirely old men in 1940 dress styles and old women widow’s black. I ask Mrs. Phred to adopt this style of dress for life if anything happens to me. After a long negotiation, eventually she promises me a week.

Here are some pictures of Paestrum.
http://community.webshots.com/slideshow/559163624zEuvNb?mediaPosition=1&track_pagetag=/page/photo/goodtimes/roadtrips&track_action=/ActionsBox/Slideshow

In 1944, an American officer surveyed the location for a potential airstrip. Somehow, he recognized the ihistorical importance of these old stones and located the strip in another place.

That does it. Absolutely, positively putting Italy at the top of my places to retire list. I might be able to afford Italy. I sure can't afford the UK. Must order the Pimsleur Italian course. Now I have to decide where in Italy. I'm still leaning toward Tuscany. Any photos of Tuscany, Phred?

No recent ones...we rented a villa in Cortona a few years ago. It's on the rail line between Roma and Firenze...Under the Tuscan sun, of course.

I would rather not get too close to Vesuvius. Must study the map more closely.

Weren't the argonauts looking for a golden fleece? I never understood that. I mean, who keeps gold sheep around, and why would there only be one fleece? Obviously you can't perpetuate gold sheep without at least two of them, and then eventually a third.


Aren't you being a little judgmental about Vesuvius, Madam Librarian? You going to judge him based on some action he did a thousand years ago or more? Can't a mountain change?

A volcanic temperament, apparently.

Vesuvius has been quiet though for a long while now - it's 60 years since his last hissy fit.

Leo, only you would feel sorry for a volcano. And is Vesuvius male? Pele is female. Suppose we should introduce them?

There is a super volcano, a caldera, in the general region of Vesuvius, also. Much more dangerous ultimately than the Old Man of the Mountain. There are towns built right into the caldera. The thing about dormant volcanos, especially calderas, is that we take them for granted. Then some century....BOOM!!

Vesuvius is fairly active yet people still live within range. I guess because the soil is so fertile and the region is so beautiful that they are willing to take the chance. But at least people know it's a volcano.

Volcanos are so interesting. The super volcano under Yellowstone fascinates me. It is still very much alive, witness the geysers and hot springs, but most people don't even realize it's there. The last time it blew it swallowed a mountain range. That's impressive. All Vesuvius does is bury places in ash and magma.

Of course America always has to do it better, don't we? The biggest the smallest the fattest the thinnest - a regular circus side show.

Cream rises to the top, Leo. Just like magma.

Hey, if you're going to have a super volcano, you might as well have a SUPER volcano.

Oh yeah. Like, if you're going to eat a hamburger, may as well make it a Whopper!
There's no way like the American way.

Have it your way....

What is, is. If you're good, you're good. If you have it, flaunt it.

And hire an agent to sell it.