Tuesday 21 April 2009
Thursday 16 April 2009
The world in all his fire
These past two weeks I have been sat in a very sumptuous hotel, high on a promontory overlooking the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. For those who have momentarily forgotten their ancient history in AD 79 Vesuvius erupted and wiped out all but the name of the city of Pompeii for the best part of two millennia. The views are spectacular (as are the pasta dishes).
Now, ever the culture vulture I have undertaken a thorough examination of both the sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and giggled muchly at all the Roman images of penises (surely penii in Latin?) to be found in the remains. However, my greatest exposure to Italian culture was on the Isle of Capri. There, amongst the remains of Tiberius' villa Jovis and the whole history of Magna Graeca I felt compelled to worship the heights of Italian artistic achievement. Namely Gucci shoes and Prada handbags. And Dolce & Gabbana dresses. I'm pretty certain Nick Rhodes would feel the same.
Today I was sat contemplating the view of Vesuvius from the hotel swimming pool. I was thinking idly about how cool it would be to see Vesuvius explode (from a safe distance) but how it might be significantly less cool for the 700,000 people who live in the direct fallout zone from any eruption. At that moment a very familiar and well loved sound started over the music system. It was the haunting introduction to 'Save a Prayer'. A perfect soundtrack to any sunbathing/ mass destruction by lava incident - why? Listen to the lyrics...
Now, ever the culture vulture I have undertaken a thorough examination of both the sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and giggled muchly at all the Roman images of penises (surely penii in Latin?) to be found in the remains. However, my greatest exposure to Italian culture was on the Isle of Capri. There, amongst the remains of Tiberius' villa Jovis and the whole history of Magna Graeca I felt compelled to worship the heights of Italian artistic achievement. Namely Gucci shoes and Prada handbags. And Dolce & Gabbana dresses. I'm pretty certain Nick Rhodes would feel the same.
Today I was sat contemplating the view of Vesuvius from the hotel swimming pool. I was thinking idly about how cool it would be to see Vesuvius explode (from a safe distance) but how it might be significantly less cool for the 700,000 people who live in the direct fallout zone from any eruption. At that moment a very familiar and well loved sound started over the music system. It was the haunting introduction to 'Save a Prayer'. A perfect soundtrack to any sunbathing/ mass destruction by lava incident - why? Listen to the lyrics...
If you can, you'll see the world in all his fire
Take a chance
(Like all dreamers can't find another way)
You don't have to dream it all, just live a day
Don't say a prayer for me now,
Save it 'til the morning after
No, don't say a prayer for me now,
Save it 'til the morning after
Save it 'til the morning after,
Save it till the morning after
I only they'd had Duran Duran in AD79.....
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