2nd Day in Krakow….
Melissa and I took a tour to the Auschwitz area and toured the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau. After being picked up at our hotel, we boarded a bus close to the Wawel Castle.
Melissa had not been to a concentration camp, so she asked if we could go together. I was happy to go again, so Melissa could have this experience.
In less than an hour drive, we were at the entrance to the Auschwitz camp. The entrance bears the sign "Arbeit Macht Frei"…. "Work Makes You Free"….an ironic welcoming message to those who came here….all of whom would suffer, and many of whom would die before being freed.
The entire camp has been preserved as a memorial and some of the prison blocks are used as museums.
Our guide was absolutely excellent.
It was here that the Nazis established their largest concentration and extermination camps.
Though I previously came here in the fall of 2011 on my own….
….coming during the winter and with Melissa made it a different experience for me. It was a quiet, reverent place for learning and reflection.
There were 28 blocks/buildings and we were able to go inside a few of them.
The photographs displayed in some of the rooms gave a very human picture to the empty barracks and the stories we were told.
The map below shows the different countries around Europe from which the Nazis forced people to leave their homes and come to Auschwitz .
Suitcases….
….eyeglasses….
….shoes….
….combs.…toothbrushes.…just a small sampling of personal items that were taken from the people as they arrived at the camps.
The number of personal items gives a little clearer picture to the number of individuals that passed through these camps.
My Melissa…the photographer…I enjoyed being with her.
So many of the pictures need little explanation…just walking and thinking….
….and trying to grasp…what this place was all about.
A firing squad wall...
As we were exiting the camp…
….we saw the extermination area.
Below is the residence of the German military officer assigned to oversee the mission here.
It reminded me of a book I once read and movie I saw…The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
A short 2 miles away on our bus, and we came to Birkenau….considered the second Auschwitz camp. People from all across Europe were sent here…they were herded out of the train cars, and immediately selected for extermination, labor or medical experiments.
One train car sits in the middle of this vast camp…a reminder….
The remains of one of the extermination areas….
Memorials created to remember….
Most of the buildings at Birkenau no longer exist, but
we did see the inside of a few of the barracks….this is the common bathroom.
Below were some of the sleeping quarters.
As we walked around Auschwitz…we felt we were given a "big picture" of what happened here. As we walked around Birkenau…it seemed we were more in touch with individuals. Both places were good to visit and learn about.
As we left the camp, Melissa visited with our guide and asked a few more questions.
Yesterday (January 27) was the anniversary of the liberation of the camps in 1945. This date is "International Holocaust Remembrance Day"…a day to remember the liberation, and especially to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
Upon returning to Kraków there were still a few hours of daylight remaining….
….so instead of returning to the hotel, Melissa and I were dropped off near the historic Wawel Castle.
We loved walking, exploring, and seeing some beautiful views around the castle….
…and though cold…we were glad we had the time to see this beautiful area of Kraków.
Here is the sculpture of a medieval dragon that sits below the castle and faces the Vistula River.
Every few minutes the dragon breathes out fire…and behind the dragon is its famous cave!
The castle grounds were quite different not being landscaped with beautiful flowers and plants at this time of year….
….but we still found great places to take pictures….
….and enjoy seeing the setting sun.
Near the bottom center of the photo below you can see the dragon breathing out fire!
It was dinnertime and we were hungry…so we went back to the hotel to pick up Mark. He had spent the day in the hotel resting and working while Melissa and I were out touring.
We walked over to the restaurant Resto Illuminati located on a small side street near the Rynek area and not far from our hotel.
Mark's co-worker Brandon had recommended it, and the atmosphere, decor, and food were all very good!
Our dinner time was so relaxing...we felt almost European….relaxing and truly enjoying our meal and the conversations we had together!
We have had a great 2nd day in Krakow…Mark was feeling better…and we ended our day making great connections together!
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