How to see Pompeii for under 20 dollars!

Monday was Martin Luther King Day. Sweet everyone was home! Let’s go do something fun as a family! Hmmmm…the Pompeii exhibit was at Union Station. Oh, my gosh, that would be awesome! Do you have any idea how many documentaries I have watched about Pompeii? (ummm…LOTS!)

Ok, kiddos lets go see the the Pompeii exhibit!
(daughter) Well, (the boy) is coming over today.
(son) Ya, we are gonna play Magick.
**hearing sound of a popped balloon**

Well, ratz!

Hmm… but if it’s just me and my hubby, it can be kinda like a date! SWEET! *the sun peaks over the clouds*

(Hubby) Maybe we can go to the bookstore too.
(Me) Heck ya!!

Off we go to Union station!

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, as we walk into Union Station, I love just looking around and looking at all the amazing details and beauty of the building itself. I notice something new every time I’m there. This time I was in awe of the breathtakingly beautiful ceilings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So on we went to the Pompeii exhibit.

When you first go in there is a short (3min) movie, then the doors open and you can casually walk around view the many artifacts, frescos, and statues. I was really taken aback by how technologically advanced they were. I knew that the Roman empire was technologically advanced for its time, but I could witness it in the 200 artifacts on display.

 

 

 

 

 

I was amazed by the beauty and craftsmanship of seemingly everyday items. The sculptures were breathtaking. Such detail! One thing I learned was that when I see sculptures from this time I don’t think of them with paint on them. But as I wondered through, I found several sculptures that had evidence of paint. Incredible! I did however find a statue with an expression I know I have seen on the face of at least one of my sons…hehehe.

The homes of the wealthy in Pompeii had a truly interesting design. They even had a private garden that was enclosed and where they went to relax and repose. I want one of those! How awesome would it be to have a garden with columns, fountains and statues? To sit quietly, and read, or just be alone with your thoughts? Pure bliss!

After you have looked at all the marvelous artifacts, videos, frescoes, statues, (oh my!,) you go into a small theater. This is a super cool 4D representation of when Mt. Vesuvius erupted. Absolutely incredible! The floor rumbles, fog/ash rolls in, lights simulate the eruption and ash and rocks coming down. I have no desire to be in a Pompeii like situation, but it really brought what the citizens of Pompeii went through into sharp focus.

Then the screen lifts,

and you walk into the room where the casts of the real citizens are. Reverently, the crowd walks around the casts. On some of them, you can even see their expressions. It was especially heartbreaking to see the cast of the mother and child, and a small child of about three or four. There was even a cast of a dog, that was left to guard the house while the family fled.

As I left Pompeii, I thought I would be very sad. And there was a definite element of sadness, but I was also grateful that through the tragedy of Pompeii’s death, we are able to understand so much about their way of living, community, entertainment, and trade.

How amazing is it that we are able to learn so much about a long-ago civilization? How marvelous is it that we can have “Pompeii” come to us? I am so grateful to be in Kansas City, where I can have access to beautiful works of art; Have the opportunity to see Pompeii and still come home to my own bed at night.

So to Union Station, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (favorite of mine,) thank you for enriching my life and the lives of my children. You are a priceless asset to our wonderful community!