Poland ... just different

Well I set Al the challenge that by the time we leave Berlin we have to have everything up to date on the blog. Naturally this has proven to be a challenge for him due to his lavish stories, so I have been given the task of Poland. I would also like to add that we left Berlin around 10 days ago, and it’s taken him that long to add something at the bottom so I can put this up!!

We were only in Poland for 3 or 4 days, but it was definitely the most eye opening experience we have had to date... it´s the one thing I still can´t get out of my mind. We spent the whole time in Krakow and then did a day trip out to Auschwitz, both were totally different experiences and deserve their own explanation!

Krakow

We stayed the four days in Krakow, which used to be the capital city of Poland years ago as the royal family all lived there. Which is handy, because it means that there is a lot of history, a standard Castle to peruse and plenty of old buildings. We didn’t really do anything of note in Krakow aside from walk up to the castle and to walk around the streets. It’s a really beautiful city, but I think we missed a lot of it because we went to Auschwitz on our second day and didn't really feel like doing much for the few days after that!

The Castle

Auschwitz

There's not really a lot that can be said about Auschwitz to do it any amount of justice - it was obviously one of the largest Nazi concentration camps for the extermination of the Jews during World War 2. They have turned both Auschwitz and Auschwitz 2 into museums and have done a great job of trying to give some perspective to what happened at these sites.

I guess the only thing to say about it is if you are in Europe I would recommend a trip to Auschwitz - it's certainly not a pleasant day, but one that I think is worth taking to understand why something like this can never happen again.

Now for Al's take ...

I don’t really do serious, I try, but it just comes across like a John Howard speech, lots of words but no substance. I suppose there is still a grain of truth left in what I say though… (pause for effect and laughter).

It’s funny how in places of such magnitude of events, a place full of death and destruction, a place that’s supposed to be revered and respected, where your supposed to maybe learn a little about yourself; that people do the strangest things.

There were a bunch of guys wearing the star of David flag around Auschwitz as a badge of pride (which I get) unfortunately they just looked like Australian bogans at the beach on Australia day. It didn’t suite the place, like wearing a suit and tie into a low class strip club where everyone else is in thongs and wife beaters. Then there are the tourists obsessed with that one perfect shot. Laying on the train tracks to get the better angle, walking on the ruins just to get a deeper shot, stepping past the no entry sign just for a clearer angle. And worst of all no one stops them.

If I were in charge of Auschwitz I would have security everywhere and wouldn’t hesitate in snapping cameras in half just to prove a point. People will soon work out that it’s not worth the effort.

So, finally, the tour groups; I am not having a go at tours, we quite like tours, but what we have noticed is that many people are getting tours around the concentration camps as a “bonus” (to their other tour or bus trip etc etc)! Doesn’t that strike you as odd? “Thanks for using our services, as a bonus for spending all that money with us here’s an absolutely free tour, with one of our wacky guides around a place where 6 million people came to die. Take care, have a nice day!! Don’t forget to shop here again” Blows your freakin mind….