The unsettling silence of Pompeii - Curt Yeomans

The ruins of the ancient Roman town of Pompeii are at their eeriest after 6:30 p.m., when most of the tourists have left for the day and only a few stragglers are hanging around before the site closes.

Ah, the legendary Pompeii. The city's name remains as instantly recognizable today as it was when it was buried under mounds of volcanic ash nearly 2,000 years ago. Much of what is left of the ancient city, which has since been excavated, is the remains of walls, a few roofs, a couple of statues, mosaics here and there, some isolated columns, and a couple of arches.