Day 3 Part 2

Day 3. Naples and Pompeii Day Trip
Part 2.

We arrive at Pizzaria Santuario Ristorante in Pompeii. To distinguish our group from other patrons we are given colored napkins. We are then shown a cart full of beverages from which to choose. I ordered a glass of white wine and I am presented with a .375L of Lacrima Santi Del Vesuvio. It's divine. I want to keep my bottle as a souvenir. I want to savor every ounce of this. This day trip has been a wonderful experience for our family. I suppose being trapped in a moving vehicle for 3+ hours will do that. Whatever the case, I'll take it.
Two different pastas are brought out as a first course. Alora and I are given rice, mine has tomato sauce while Alora's has some sort of wine sauce. We give her watered down soda in a wine glass and she is happy. She steals a sip of my wine and laughs hysterically.
We hop back on the bus and make our way to Pompeii. Mount Vesuvius is not scheduled to erupt so we can begin our tour. Naturally, it starts raining like there's some sort of national drought. We begin our tour and just when it gets interesting I have to leave. As Marc so eloquently put it... Naomi had an eruption of her own. Really?! I took the girls and tried to find a store. We walked just a few blocks when the rain started again. Taking shelter in a grocery store in a foreign country has always been a dream of mine. So thankful it has come true. Yay!!
We leave the store only to be hit with another downpour. We find shelter under a tent located in front of the market. We spot two cabs and make a break for one groaning as the larger one departs. It's empty!!! How can a cab be without a driver?!? Isn't there a law saying cabs must have driver in them!!? Argh.
We speed walk through the rain. And here I am with a baby strapped to my back like some sort of primate.
We get back to rendezvous point, load into bus after a few quick purchases, and make our way back to Rome.
We decide to have dinner at same restaurant since it is after 10pm and we're not feeling too adventurous with four kids. The servers recognize us and begin setting the tables for out rather large family. Alora asks for wine and blows kisses to one of the servers, Mohammed. He is from Egypt but has been in Italy for over 8 years. She is quite taken with him and the feeling is mutual. Massimo is our server again and has taken it upon himself to ply us with delicious foods and wine. Apparently, it is customary to have an end of the meal shot and a tiny glass was thrust into my hands before I object. I don't even remember the last shot that passed these lips. I smile politely and leave a cash tip. I wave my goodbyes as Alora's blowing besos and saying ciao.
We return to our little gelato place around the block and head back to our rooms. I have eaten more gelato in 3 days than I have my entire lifetime. Seriously, it could very well be the cause of world peace if the world's diplomats can just get it together.
Tomorrow is another day. Another adventure. Hard to believe we are only 1/3 in to our European Vacation.