Today we went to the coast to the epidauros sanctuary.    It was bitter cold there.  The top of the theater had snow on the ground and in the trees.  The bottom had a lovely, flowering plum tree at the entrance. Quite a contrast.

The acoustics are so perfect (yes I hiked up a million stairs to check this) that you can

hear a coin drop or a shoe scuff from the stage area.  European coins make a dull thud but American quarters make a jingle.   I tossed a quarter  several times

then gave it to a little French boy.  The little boy didn't particularly want it and gave it back.....I could see that his father really wanted the boy to take it....(dad was interested...) so I gave it to the father and said maybe he would like it.... what a nice thank you he gave me.. His dad was really happy to get it.  big grin... 

 The site also had temples and a huge stadium.   The original founder was in 6th century bc;  Asclepius, son of Apollo, was a demigod and hero who possessed healing powers. He received his skills from the centaur named Cheiron.  When he tried to restore mortals to life Zeus smote him with a thunderbolt and killed him.  Even in the afterworld he continued to help people and eventually was transformed into a god..  

Asclepius is often shown with a staff and snakes....  it was 5th century bc.  So now the

doctors symbol has a snake & staff to honor him.  Hippocrates was his

student.  He was the first "doctor".  .   (I give you my oath on this....)  Asclepius  (I think it was him....) had two daughters, Panacea and  Hygeia .... another two amusing names..  Isn't is funny how the names mean things now.... .         .  Panacea and Hygeia  carried on the work

  People would go there for a diagnosis.  After being purified they would make a sacrifice and slept in the sanctuary.  They would  get massage, & herbs and be prescribed to work out on the stadium or change their life style....   A large number of surgical instruments were found at the site: surgery was sometimes part of the treatment. .

tomorrow we climb the 999 steps to the fortress above naphlia.