Sept. 16th
Auschwitz. Terrible, aweful, overwhelming Auschwitz. I spent most of the day in stunned silence, and managed to only cry once. In a building filled with "evidence" of what the Nazis did (read piles of stuff they took from the Jews and others they killed), I became completely overwhelmed in a room where both sides up to the ceiling were piles of shoes. The sheer amount made me hyperventilate into tears, and it was only a small fraction in reality. This place is a big burden on Poland, but one borne proudly because of they way they fought so bravely against the Nazi occupation the entire war. It meant that many of their cities and infrastructure were destroyed by the Nazis, and then somewhat suppressed during communism. Now Poland is quickly catching up to the rest of Europe!!
Sept. 17th
We took it easier on Friday, but did go to a lovely French restaurant for some excellent crepes, and then for an evening stroll to the highest point in Ostrava- created by digging for coal! It was a beautiful evening all together- a fitting end to a "down" day.
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