Apology note cites breast cancer and ‘bad luck’ as consequences

When visiting a site of great historical importance, it’s crucial to show respect and refrain from taking souvenirs. A tourist who learned this lesson the hard way recently returned volcanic stones to Pompeii, accompanied by a heartfelt apology note, citing a year of perceived ‘bad luck.’

Archaeologist Gabriel Zuchtriegel shared an image of the stones and the handwritten note on Twitter, expressing goodwill towards the anonymous sender. The caption read, “Dear anonymous sender of this letter… the pumice stones arrived in Pompeii… now good luck for your future & in bocca al lupo, as we say in Italy.”

‘In bocca al lupo,’ translating to ‘in the wolf’s mouth,’ is an Italian expression akin to wishing someone ‘good luck.’

The handwritten note explained the unfortunate turn of events, “I didn’t know about the curse. I didn’t know that I should not take any rocks. Within a year, I got breast cancer. I am a young and healthy female, and doctors said it was just ‘bad luck.’ Please accept my apology and these pieces. Mi dispiace [I’m sorry].”

While the Italian apology is a thoughtful gesture, a jest about addressing the spirits in Latin would be more fitting in a Roman city.

This incident isn’t the first of its kind, as in 2020, a similar note reached Pompeii, narrating a breast cancer survivor’s experience. The note expressed concern about not passing on the perceived curse to the family.

Pompeii, known for its archaeological significance, should be treated with utmost respect. The fully preserved streets and murals inside buildings offer a glimpse into ancient life, occasionally surprising visitors with racy illustrations that challenge historical perceptions of Rome.

Whether or not one believes in curses or spirits, taking ‘souvenirs’ from such historical sites is discouraged, as evidenced by these tales of misfortune from the iconic city.