Above the gate of the former concentration camp of Auschwitz I reads a sign that says "Arbeit macht frei," meaning "Work makes (you) free" in German. Sadly, over 1 million Jewish people were killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau during the second World War, after being sent to what they thought was a place to work and live. Many of them brought their most prized possessions along with them, only to have them confiscated. At Auschwitz today there are astonishing exhibits of all the items that belonged to the victims of the Holocaust which were taken from them by prison guards - thousands of shoes, combs, luggage pieces, clothing items, even human hair...
During our time at Auschwitz-Birkenau, it was quite cold and snowy. Our tour guide told us how the innocent prisoners at the concentration camp were stripped of their clothes on arrival, and given a set of thin pyjamas to wear. Many could not survive the harsh conditions and died soon after arrival. There is a wall inside that has photographs of many of the prisoners, with the date they arrived and the date they died. The strongest people were often selected by the doctors to do hard labour jobs, while the weakest were considered useless and were sent to their deaths earlier.
I didn't take many photos at Auschwitz I or the nearby Auschwitz II (Birkenau). It didn't seem right. I think everyone should visit that place to see with their own eyes what happened to those innocent people, and remember those who died. It was quite eerie seeing the gas chambers which Jewish prisoners entered, thinking they were entering a shower room, when instead they were gassed to death. Thinking about such a tragedy made me realize how lucky I am to be living free of any type of persecution. It also shocked me how humans could act so cruelly towards other humans. It was definitely a sobering visit.
During our time at Auschwitz-Birkenau, it was quite cold and snowy. Our tour guide told us how the innocent prisoners at the concentration camp were stripped of their clothes on arrival, and given a set of thin pyjamas to wear. Many could not survive the harsh conditions and died soon after arrival. There is a wall inside that has photographs of many of the prisoners, with the date they arrived and the date they died. The strongest people were often selected by the doctors to do hard labour jobs, while the weakest were considered useless and were sent to their deaths earlier.
I didn't take many photos at Auschwitz I or the nearby Auschwitz II (Birkenau). It didn't seem right. I think everyone should visit that place to see with their own eyes what happened to those innocent people, and remember those who died. It was quite eerie seeing the gas chambers which Jewish prisoners entered, thinking they were entering a shower room, when instead they were gassed to death. Thinking about such a tragedy made me realize how lucky I am to be living free of any type of persecution. It also shocked me how humans could act so cruelly towards other humans. It was definitely a sobering visit.
Well, once again, incredible and awesome pictures of your adventures as well as very thoughtful commentary about each place...it is like looking at a travel brochure with very unbiased opinions so you can really learn about these destinations...truly adventures of a lifetime!!!
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