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Published: July 28th 2014
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It began to rain, and we waited. We waited as a group on the steps of the hostel in Munich, waiting for Cal's parents to arrive and gather him up, ending his time with us. The scene was ripe with symbolism and full of feeling. Here we were, a group previously made up of individuals who wanted to experience Europe. Some were friends, some acquaintances, some relative strangers. What we had become over the course of three weeks was a tightly knit group of friends who will now share these memories and experiences for the rest of their lives and in doing so, have a bond that will never be broken.
The day in Munich began with a sobering reminder of what can happen to humanity when lies and propaganda become accepted as truth. When a culture looks to blame a scapegoat as an easy way out. When a single mad man espousing rhetoric about master races and final solutions is granted ultimate power.
The best way to term our tour of Dachau is "powerful". It was difficult stuff to say the least. Our kids were exposed to information that is often too much for adults to handle. Once
again however, to a person, they were absolutely brilliant. They listened, they read, they asked great questions of our guide that at times even made him have to think, putting his PhD in History to the test. At the start of the tour, our guide Tobias said to me, "we'll aim for an hour and forty-five minutes or so depending on their interest level." Well, two and a half hours later, and we were just wrapping it up.
The tour took us through the front gates of the camp, with the words "Arbeit Macht Frei" (work will set you free) emblazoned upon them. This was a cruel lie to those forced to enter. The ultimate goal of this place was to literally work its occupants to death. We then proceeded through the registration center, learning just who was sent here and why. Then it was over to the prisoner barracks to view the living conditions. Two thousand prisoners forced to live in each structure with four sinks and 40 toilettes. Down the camp road past the foundations of the 32 other barracks houses, the guard tower still ominously looking over us, and left to the most sobering and chilling
location of all.
The crematorium structure is still original, and the ovens are still there. Also inside the building are the "showers". Instead of water, Zyklon B poured from the shower heads down upon the unsuspecting victims. This experience was absolutely chilling. I have studied and read and viewed many documentaries on this subject, but nothing has ever made it more real, or more impactful than standing there and seeing it. It freezes one in place, mind racing, trying to comprehend the madness and come to grips with the result.
Every one of our kids was affected, some to the point of tears. The idea of this visit was not to traumatize our students, but educate them and impact them. Their mission, now that they know, is to never forget, and to make certain that this never happens again. The discussions occurring and the questions asked after the tour continued to impress. They were higher order questions that prompted more discussion and more questions. It was exactly what we wanted to see!
It was hard. It was unbelievably emotional. And it was incredibly worth it!
From Dachau, we took a bus to the English Gardens in
search of "the wave". Our trusty team of recon men, Julian, Taino, Jeremiah and Han, were able to locate it by asking random folks in the park.
The wave is a spot in the river where in the flow, an object was placed to create a constant breaker. Surfers ply their trade in front of a hundred or so awed spectators. It was the perfect activity to shed some of the heaviness placed on our shoulders by Dachau.
Back to the hostel we travelled, under the guidance of our esteemed navigator Keely. We all relaxed, napped a bit, and prepared for a visit to the city after dinner for some. Prior to dinner, we met in the great room for the traditional awards. Ms. Herder and I awarded students with recognition based on their habits, quirks, or funny occurrences while in Germany. It was light hearted and entertaining. The group actually guessed the recipient after the name of the award was read. The awards are as follow.
Ben Tsuffis Award- Julian Houston
Musti Jr. Award- Daniel Foulds
Lost and Found Award- Taino Ferdinand
Covertly Connected Award- Matt Maskell
Queen Ludwig- Hailey Staples
The Navigator Award- Keely Booth
International Empathy Award- Cal Nus
Second Family Award- Adelka Morgan
Coaster Conquerer Award- Kyle Brown
Margaret Bourke-White Award- Kayli Riggs
Most Like Partner Award- Ava Ross
Germanys Next Top Football Coach Award- Han Hiller
Independent Studies And Golden Heart Award- Adrian Hoare
Shell Buster Award- Max Paulat
Water Works- Aislyn Cooney
Quiet Rudder Award- Kaden Steinke
Operation Suck It Up Award- Kjirsi Wilhonen
Welcome Wagon Award- Anna Dahl
German Ghandi Award - Jeremiah Hartmann
Friederich Nietzche Award- Ruby Cook
Adopted American Award- Cole Costanti
Sprouting Gills Award- Wanling Kratzman
Clumsy Ansel Adams Award- Cameron Meyer
Eisbachwelle Award- Gabe Ensley
Max was picked up from the dinner line by a family friend, a bit of the groups energy went with him. Hugs and well wishes ushered him out the door. Cal was next. On the front steps of the hostel the group sat with heavy hearts, waiting for his family to arrive and take him away. Even though he would be home in just a couple of weeks, it was another reminder that our time here on
this amazing adventure was coming to a close. It's easier when it happens all at once at the airport checkin counter. Instead, we were pulling the bandaid off slowly, dropping kids, and with them a piece of the groups heart.
One last night in Europe, and we were up early to pack and head into the city for a little pre-airport shopping. Gabe left us there, off to travel with his parents, another piece of the puzzle lost.
At 10:15 the time came for the group to depart. Wanling and I walked them to the S-Bahn train to the airport, and it was another round of hugs and a few tears. As the train pulled away to waives and well wishes on both sides of the glass, this portion of the journey ended.
Twenty students are en route to Seattle. Wanling and I are headed to Frankfurt, and I will be on my way to Marrakesh tomorrow. Cal and Gabe are off to Italy, albeit separate locations. Max remains behind in Munich.
We are all off in our separate directions now, and some are off on their separate paths in life. One thing that will remain
constant though, for everyone, no matter the high school attended, or the state they are returning to, is that the experiences shared over the course of the past three weeks will transcend time and distance, and will live on in the hearts and minds of these students for the rest of their lives. That is the power of this exchange.
I have enjoyed writing this blog immensely while in Germany. It was so easy to relate all of the fun activities and experiences because there was so much that was done, and the people, both German and American, were so amazing. Thanks for taking the time to follow along, and I hope you enjoyed it!
In late August, after I have returned home and football practice is in full swing, I will post a few hundred pictures to a photo sharing site. Feel free to download any that you would like, and upload some as well! I will provide instructions when the site is up.
Aufwiedersein!
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