Beautiful view . . .
. . . isn't it?
Monte Vesuvio
From a Sorrento patio at night, Monte Vesuvio (Vesuvius) is certainly a captivating sight. It also appears very benign.
It's not.
The most famous eruption, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum was almost 2,000 years ago - 79 AD. However, the most recent was in March, 1944, and destroyed three villiages - San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, Massa di Somma and Ottaviano. San Georgio a Cremano was also partially destroyed.
An Italian coworker and friend lives in San Georgio, which is still a thriving, growing community - notwithstanding the obvious risk. I guess the time lapse of a generation tempers memories.
Vesuvio is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, because of the long delay since the last cataclysmic eruption and the 3,000,000 nearby residents.
Counting Mrs. B and me, make that 3,000,002.
With only 20 months to go in Italy, perhaps we will escape, and not look like this:
