A long promised trip with
Eleanore (kid number 5) to Krakov and
Auschvitz
As likely in most families, sometimes we get into
lively family discussions on moral and general principle issues--
A number of years ago during such a discussion Eleanore
and I decided we would take a trip to Poland to see one of
sites of the horror of world war 2 first hand. We are
procrastinators at times, so this got put off and put off until this
fall we decided we must make it reality. Eleanore and I booked a long
weekend and a plane ticket ... and spent a most memorable time
together in an amazingly beautiful city with a heart wrenching
history.
We had first planned a trip by car ... but after checking
things out found that the cheapest alternative was airfair
... and we were also able to book very reasonable housing in
an apartment hotel right in the center of the city.
Half a block from our hotel room was the
most beautiful market center of Krakov .. Krakov is Polands
second largest city -- after the capital Warsaw.
Our hotel room was in a serveral hundred
year old building ... in the basement a cute little pub!!
The entrance gate to the infamous Auschvitz
concentration/extermination camp.
It says itself!
The purchase documents and chemicals that
were used in the gas chambers
The main Auschvitz facilities (a former
military base) could only handle 6-8 thousand
prisioners .... so this camp of Birkanov was built
just for the purpose .. could house 120 000 prisoners ....
and it had much more efficient extermination facilities.
Sleeping quarters for teenagers ... as
long as they were capable of working in the war industry
they were allowed to live ...When they became to weak to
work .. they were sent to the gas chambers.
It happened to be the Polish national day
when we where there to we got in on the celebrations!
Sadly, Krakov is the home of countles
enormous churches displaying their glory
We actually got a private guide for the city
tour on Sunday ... Auschvitz/Birkanov was a separate all day tour
on the Saterday.
The amazing richness that Chrisianity
flaunts in this place.
Not so many Jews left in Krakov ..
just one functioning synagoge. This is a former synagoge
serving as a bookstore now.
A memorial chair on a market square in the
former Jewish ghetto
This is the former home of Oskar Shindler
famous for his work hiding and aiding Jews escape the
horrors of the Nazies.
A plaque on the Shindler museum .. a former
factory which Oskar Schindler operated and was able to use
in his efforts to help Jews to escape Hitlers forces.
Last eveing in Krakov in the Jewish quarter
enjoying a wonderful meal.
Lots of Jewish names in this part of Krakov
In the plane nn the way home again -- with
lots of impressions!!