Auschwitz-Birkenau

Thirty-six years ago we visited Auschwitz. Today we returned. Many things had changed but the core of the visit was very much the same. How could other humans commit such cruelty in the name of nationalism? 

Birkenau gate and train terminus.

The insincerity and sickness of the Nazi's at the entrance of Auschwitz, "Works makes you free."

Electrified caged!

Many things had changed: the number of people visiting (and at about the same time of the year) had increased dramatically, the number of young people were in the majority, the Russian propaganda had vanished (Poland then was under the spell of Russia), the presentation was a little more sanitised, and the organisation was exceptional. 

Nothing is more dramatic than to see hundreds of thousands of pairs of shoes, glasses, suitcases etc. of the victims.

The day was bookended by waking to the serenity of the Cloisters at Rudy, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau experience at the end of the afternoon. Two quite contrasting emotional situations. 

We were not quite expecting the level of organisation at Auschwitz-Birkenau. We were expecting a self guided audio tour but instead when you purchase your tickets you are buying into a four-hour guided tour. I must say that the young guide was quite outstanding. 

Needing to be in Kraków early tomorrow morning we drove to our overnight stop at the village of Rzozow.