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Getting ready
Getting on the bus to Terezin. On March 23, Ahmed and I had our tour of Terezin (the Lesser Fortress, the Museum of Terezin, the Jewish Ghetto and the Crematorium). Terezin's fortress was used by the Nazis as a concentration camp for general Czech prisoners (most of whom were Christians) and for Jews as well (most ones who were part of underground resistance). Prisoners from other places in Europe also ended up here before being taken further East to the Death Camps. This was my first chance to visit a place like this - I have studied the Holocaust extensively as a History student in university but have never been able to visit places associated with it. Terezin was not Auschwitz, but it was terrible. The Jewish Ghetto area was used as propaganda by the Nazis to show the Red Cross and the outside world that Jews were being treated humanely - what a lie. We even got to see a propaganda video of the Red Cross visit, people smiling, kids playing soccer, families laughing - all a lie.
This tour was good to do after our visit to the Jewish Quarter in Prague the day before - we saw how Jews lived for centuries before
Cemetery
This is the Christian part of the cemetery outside of the fortress. WWII, and then what happened to them afterwards. Our guide for the tour even had a personal connection to Terezin - some of her family died here and in other camps in Europe; only her father and 1 uncle came out alive. At Terezin fortress, we had a guide from the fort. The tour was the most sombre thing I have ever experienced while on a "holiday." All people present took this seriously (thankfully). As I worked my way with the group through bunkbed areas, solitary confinement cells and a "hospital" wing, I kept trying to imagine the faces of peoplel in these conditions. Really, you have to be here to understand fully.
The Museum seemed small at first, but that's because most of the things to see are on the upper level. It was here that we saw the propaganda video, too. On the upper level, you can see personal items such as passports (with the infamous "J" stamped inside), suitcases, clothing, letters and other items that belonged to the prisoners of Terezin and ghetto inhabitants.
We spent a very short time in the actual ghetto, but did get to see a "tolerated" private synagogue that was
made in someone's garage. It only fit about 10 people. The Nazi guards knew it was there but didn't destroy it.
The final trip to the crematorium was creepy. This was used for prisoners who died naturally (well, if you count starving to death as natural because no food is given to you). I can imagine how hot it would have been in the main room.
After this depressing yet (for me) satisfying visit to an important historical site, we were back in Prague to (of course) eat dinner. We got to talking to this Irish gentleman outside of this restaurant, we shared some stories, and Ahmed and I decided to give his restaurant a try (his wife was Czech). We were very happy with our meal there - a very cool underground-style restaurant like so many others but with some swords and other implements on the wall.
On March 24, we hyped ourselves up to find our way to Prasky Hrad (or something like that - Prague Castle). We got out at the right metro stop, but then weren't sure where to go from there. Looking like typical puzzled tourists with our guidebook out, an old
smiling woman asked (I'm assuming - she spoke no English) if we needed help. We got the words "Prasky Hrad" out of our mouths, and she pointed us in the right direction. When we left the metro station, it was sunny and cool. By the time we got to the top of the hill and had entered the entrance gates to the castle, there was a full-blown snowstorm! It got everyone absolutely wet (even us with our umbrella), but it was refreshing, and then it was freezing - the wind was incredible!!! I was so hyped to explore this huge castle with it's various buildings; we got the 2-day pass. This day we visited the Convent of St. George (great art displays here), St. George Basillica, St. Vitus Cathedral, the old palace (from 1135?) and the Museum (the story of Prague Castle). The museum was awesome, everything I ever could want to know about the castle and Prague. The displays were well done with great written information. Ahmed is not much of a museum man, but he indulged me and my desire to see and read as much as possible in here.
Later we made our way to The
"Work will set you free"
The famous quote over almost every concentration or death camp entrance. Green Tomato (also on Jindrisska street) which became our new favourite restaurant near to our hostel. That night it snowed and there was sleet, so we hit bed early and prepared for more fun the next day.
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