Krakow and Auscwitz

Luckily for Ash and I, then train to Krakow was almost empty so we were able to sprawl out and get some much need sleep. Seriously, sleep is a luxury i dont seem to ever have these days so i get it when and where ever i can!!

Once we arrived it didnt take us long to find our hostel thank god, because is was sooo hot and humid. We were pleasantly suprised with out hostel as we basically had our own apartment. There were on 4 other guys on the floor who were only there to sleep (unfortunatley they returned drunk and disorderly at 6am!!! GRRR) so it was great. We had free internet, tea and coffee, laundry and all sorts of stuff. At this stage in my travels its the small things that can make a big difference.

Once we got settled we walked up to Wawel Castel. It is a massive castle/complex with lots of beautiful gardens and buildings. Unfortunatly the heavens opened up (it was like i hadnt seen rain in years!) so Ash and I retreated into the castle for a bit of a look see. It was very grand as you could imagine, lots of frescos and tapestry. After we were done it was still raining so we had to sit and wait it out over some delicious apple pie!! yummy

That night we went out for a few drinks etc however we were both wrecked by 12 and we had an early start for our trip to Auscwitz in the morning so we didnt last long.

What can I say about Auszwitz that isnt already synonomous with the name? Not much of Auscwitz I remains, but there was more than enough to be saddened to the bone as I walked around the area where the most heinous of crimes were carried out. walking through the gas chamber and crematorium was almost to much for me to handle. While i think there is somethig unerving and reprehensible about going into these places, I think i left with a greater appreciation for the sanctity of life and I know that after being there, I will never forget, nor forgive.

Auscwitz II- Birkenau was much bigger than Auscwitz I. The electrified barbed wire fences sprawled kilometers around the camp. The massive gates (Gates of Death) stood out like a sore thumb as we approched the camp. The rail road still intact, just beyond the gate you can see the platform where the Gestapo sorted out the arrivals into those who could work, and those who would be sent straight to their deaths in the chambers. How could such a job exist is beyond me. What kind of person could perform such a terrible task? Although the day was indeed sad, I think its benificial for those who go, only so they can be shocked and appalled at what happened, so as to ensure history does not repeat itself. However another part of me thinks that these areas should not be open to the public, but respected as a sacred area to respect all the innocent people, who perished at the hands of the Nazis.

Once we returned to the station at Krakow, we bought our tickets on the overnight train to Prague. A quick trip back to the hostel to pick up our things and we were on our way.

---

---