Krakow
Today is perhaps the most depressing one of all. Early in the morning, we are all on our way to the most cruel place- Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Auschwitz was the most notorious concentration and extermination camps established by the Nazi Germany to implement its Final Solution policy which had as its aim the mass murder of the Jewish people in Europe. This was the largest concentration camp created by the Nazi Germans and was the one which combined extermination with forced labor. The remains of the 2 camps of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II were placed on the UNESCO heritage list as evidence of this inhumane, cruel and methodical effort to deny human dignity to groups considered inferior, leading to their systematic murder. More than 1.2 million people in the crematoria, 90% of whom were Jews.
The fortified walls, barbed wire, railway sidings, platforms, barracks, gas chambers and crematoria of the camp show how the Holocaust took place.
Many collections at the sire preserve the evidence of those who were murdered. The personal items in the collections are testimony to the lives of the victims before they were brought to the extermination camps, as well as to the cynical use of their possessions and remains. The site and its landscape has high levels of authenticity and integrity since the original evidence has been carefully conserved without any unnecessary restoration.
Pictures can be taken anywhere except at the exhibit of the hair. I guess all of us were very surprised at the HUGE amount of evidences they showcast. And yes. Including the hair. The Jews who were sent to the gas chambers died and their hair shaved. Pictures were not allowed because tourists who used to took photo of the hair went back with patches appearing on the photos. And when they enlarge the photo, all the white patches were faces. Believe it or not. I choose to respect them. Even when I took the photos of the Jews' personal belongings, I cant help but feel uneasy. Had wanted to delete them away but those photos can served as a reminder to each and everyone of us the importance to treat individual with respect and dignity.
Talking about the gas chambers. Jews were sent to the camp by trains all around Europe to Poland. No elaboration on the condition on the train. If you guys want to know more, watch the movie, Schindler's List. There were rows of doctors examining the Jews. Those fit, young and strong were sent to 1 side for hard labour. The youngs, olds and sicks were sent straight to the gas chambers. Over there, Nazi soldiers would tell them to take a shower. Naked and forced into the chamber. Those Jews had totally no idea that they are on their way to their death.
After we went to the first camp, we went to the 2nd camp which was about 5 mins drive. It was much larger, much more spectacular and much more 'evil'. Jews were cramped up into 8 and slept on 1 deck bed. Bearing in mind, these Jews worked very hard but were starved. So as time passed by, they grow thinner and thinner. And the toilet were just holes and holes in the middle. Each one of them were only given a few seconds to release themselves and off they went. For those who disobey, they were dragged out and given a shot in their brain.
Horrendous but meaningful tour. Many of us left the camp deep in thoughts. Deep in sorrows. Deep in prayers for the dead.
After this, it's the city tour. In Poland, all around you can find buildings that were very old and bombed during the WWII. And many of the houses were Jewish-owned.
Went up to the Wawel Hill. This prominent mount is crowned with a castle containing a cathedral, both are enduring symbols of Poland.
Then there was the St Mary's Church which was built in the 14th century. Every hour a bungle call is played from the highest tower of the church.
Lastly, walked past and went in to Jagiellonian University which was founded in 1364. It's the oldest university in Poland, the 2nd oldest university in Central Europe and 1 of the oldest universities in the world.
And then, with Johnny's recommendation, went to have the tastiest ribs I have ever ate! The yummy restaurant in Poland served the BEST tomato soup and ribs!!! And it costs so much cheaper than in Spore.
Ended the day with a little shopping and their flowers are so damn cheap! Bought 3 roses back to the hotel as we have our rose bubble bath. Very much needed for a day like this.
'Live your life happily. Because you only live once. Treat yourself better.'
The sentence which lingered in my brain for many many days.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152140575698318.1073741850.759843317&type=1&l=ceae4c956d
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