Last night was magical. After seeing "Romeo and Juliet" at the Globe Theatre in London earlier this year, and experiencing the wonderful throwback of watching a Shakespearean play in the way audiences of the time would (standing in the Yard with a lot of audience interaction from the actors) I realized it was insane that I hadn't seen a performance in one of the most ancient theaters in the world in Epidaurus, located just a two-hour ride from my house in Greece. •••••• Built in the 4th century BC, Epidaurus was in use for centuries before the area was overrun by invading Goths. Excavations in the 19th century unearthed the theater, still mostly in good condition, and Greeks decided to start holding ancient plays again in the space. •••••• After driving two hours through some truly breathtaking scenery along the coastal Peloponnesian route, I can't describe the enchantment of walking up a winding stair-laden path in the middle of the forest, reaching the top, and suddenly being met with the sight of the impressively huge (this never comes across in photos) ancient theater sprawled out below you, surrounded by towering pine trees casting shadows over 13,000 people waiting for the show to start - in a space where almost 2500 years ago, 13,000 people would be anxiously waiting, maybe even for the exact same play we saw last night - Alcestis by Euripides. •••••• I would say more, but blog post coming soon :) . . . . .