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Published: August 3rd 2008
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Main gate in Dachau.
It basically translates into "Liberation through work" or "work is freedom". Nice greeting to a concentration camp that enslaved so many eh? I woke up today with a tough decision. Do I just hang out during the day and ensure I catch my train to Amsterdam, or do I risk missing the last train at 3:56 and head on a tour of Dachau? Since I really wanted to see a concentration camp, I decided to risk missing the train. At approximately 10:15am I showed up at the Hoptbanhof by the tourist information office to meet up with the Dachau Tour guides. I stopped by to get a quick bite beforehand and was ready to go.
The group grabbed a train and in about 10 minutes or so, were in Dachau. From there we took a bus and in another 10 minutes or so, we were at the front of the Dachau concentration camp. Our tour guide, Gordon from Ireland, had a completely different style of conducting tours than I'm used to. Instead of just recanting history and events, he tended to analyze them. He tried to come up with possible causes for outcomes. It was really insightful and entertaining.
We started off with a 10-15 minute history of the world war II and what the Nazi's were doing. We then saw
the platform where several Jews arrived at the camp errrr I mean "detention center". We then discussed the motives, system, etc of the whole Nazi and concentration camp operation.
From there we saw the bunks (only a recreation remains), the crematorium, the gas chambers (showers), etc. It was really crazy to see that kind of stuff up close. Not sure if I mentioned this before, but I've never really been all that touched by the holocaust. OBVIOUSLY, I thought it was horrible and an unspeakable act on behalf of the Nazis, but since I didn't really have any connection, fam, friends, etc to it, it never REALLY affected me. However, being at the concentration camp put things in a way different perspective.
After the tour ended, I noticed I was gonna be a bit pressed for time to catch the metro. Luckily, the bus and the regional train were on time, so that didn't set me back. When we got back to the hoptbanhof, I rushed to the hostel that was across the street, grabbed my backpack, and ran back to the station. Luckily, I had about 10 minutes to spare, so I grabbed some snacks and some
drinks for the ride. I basically spent 4 1/2 hours on the way to Koln (Cologne) where I switched trains, then another 4 hours until finally arriving in Amsterdam.
For me, Amsterdam has always had one of "those" connotations. Craziness, weed smoking, debauchery. I figured it was like Vegas on steroids or something. However, getting here, I noticed things are A LOT more laid back. Sure, a lot of people smoke weed, but they seem to do it with more maturity than many people do back home. In fact, I've read and heard that only 9% of Dutch people smoke whereas 35% of Americans do. That's pretty crazy.
Anyways, I arrived at Centraal Station, and noticed I left the directions to the hostel in my last hostel. Damnit! Ok, I'll just take a taxi. It's not too far, so it shouldn't be so expensive. So I talk to one of hte cabbies and he says he knows where it is. However, when we get in the car, I notice him trying to call his friends asking where it is in another language (Turkish I believe). So after a few calls and no luck, he takes me to the
bulldog (a smoke shop). He's like "there's the bulldog". "That's nice, I didn't ask to go to the Bulldog, I asked to go to the Flying Pig downtown. After he insisted I pay him, I got a little crazier on him and was like "dude, i'm not paying you shit! You didn't take me to where I asked to go AFTER I asked you if you knew whre it was and you said yes then you call your friends to find out where it is. You not knowing where it is, isn't my f@$King problem." Once he saw his intimidation methods don't work on me, he said he didn't "have time for this." He quickly took me back to the Centraal Station.
Kind of pissed, I just walked off and refused to get another cab. I figured it couldn't be too far. I somehow remembered the general direction of the hostel from when I booked it back in March. I set off and kept asking people if they knew where it was. Luckily, I found a bar tender that knew. SUCCESS! By this time I was tired, hungry, and in dire need of a shower. Seeing that Flying Pig
hostel sign was a great.....great moment.
I checked in and knew I'd love this place immediately. Next to the entrance, there's a stage area with a crap load of pillows that you just lay on. Also, there was a pretty happening bar next to reception, a courtyard, and most importantly good looking women! hahahaah jk jk.... well...... ok, no I'm not kidding.
So I showered, changed and walked around the neighborhood for a while getting my bearings. After walking for an hour or so, I decided to head back and get some shuteye. Tomorrow, I'd see what Amsterdam was really about.
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Julz
non-member comment
Haha! We know you're not kidding about the women. LOL!! Props on putting the cabbie in his place! Wow?! The bunks remind me of stacks of chicken coops. That's some crazy shit!!