We had tickets with our tour time on but it wasn't made clear that you need to get a little sticker with your tour language and time on too, only when I asked a young lady how we would know where to go, did we find out. There was a huge number of people wanting an English tour, so there were two running at the same time, to accommodate. We had a lady guide, who was mic'd up and we had headsets, which made it lot easier to hear her and meant she didn't have to shout. She led us round Auschwitz I camp for about 90 minutes, feeding us facts continuously. She didn't have any water with her, so fair play to her.
Most people have seen photos or heard about things in the camp but viewing them first hand, certainly brings things into a very sharp focus and will leave a lasting impression. It is without doubt a very emotional visit. We were shown a short film at the beginning, the most striking comment in it being, that we would spend more time at the camp on our tour, than most of the arrivals did. Wham! If that doesn't get you thinking......
With the first camp tour completed, we boarded a bendy bus to Birkenau, Camp II. Now Grizzly and I had already visited yesterday, as you know, and this proved to be a spot on decision, as not only do you not get as much time to take photos with the guide but it also rained, which isn't great for cameras. Just ask Grizzly.
As the rain came down, we sheltered under that famous arch, where that single railway line leads into the camp, whilst I dug out two ponchos. It took us a while to get them on but proved a smart move on the part of the tour organiser, i.e. me, to pack them in my day bag. They are by no means making a fashion statement, as you can see but they do a decent job of keeping you dry.
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| Ssh! Don't tell 'em back home! |
We visited a couple of areas we hadn't gone to yesterday but we did so much more besides on our own. I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting, to do what we did. Book the free tickets for Birkenau, as well as a guided tour and you will have time to take all the photos you want. With our guide, we did get to see the remains of crematorium 2, which encompasses the 'shower' room, and one of the stone huts, of the earliest part of the camp. Not sure I heard correctly but I think each hut held 1000 people, sleeping on 3 levels of bunks, the bottom bunk being the floor, and with 6 people in each bunk. Not bunks like we know, of course.
With that, the tour was over and we were left to reflect on what we'd seen and heard. It is difficult, nay impossible, to comprehend what those people went through. It begs the question, who were the lucky ones?
We got the bendy bus back to Camp I and walked back to the hotel, via the supermarket next door, to get some lunch, which left an afternoon free. I did some maintenance checks on Ginny, Grizzly had a nap.
For dinner, we ate at the same place. The menu is a bit limited so rather than a starter, this time we had dessert.
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| Chocolate Suffle |
Today ends our war theme, for the time being. Tomorrow the mood will lighten somewhat, as we head underground in a salt mine. Our overnight stop is in Zakopane, on the edge of the Tatra Mountains. Apparently the area has deer, wild boar, wolves and even bears. Just so long as no lady bears come searching for Grizzly! She wants me Woody! š
Dobranoc
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