Poland: Europe's Texas

Auschwitz

As you walk through the hallways, the only sounds that you hear are the dull, rhythmic footsteps of people too overwhelmed to speak. The walls are lined with portraits of faces along with arrival dates and murder dates. Thousands of faces: men, women, children. As we are slowly drudging through the rooms and hallways, we unexpectedly enter the infamous room. You are warned by fellow backpackers prior to going but you can never prepare yourself for the shear scale. Piled above my head and extending all the way down the barracks room, an estimated two tons of solid hair. More tangible remains from the lives taken were upcoming as the group struggled into the subsequent rooms. Shoes: children’s shoes, adults’ shoes, piled in the thousands. Cookware: all the pots and pans that were brought by the victims, only to be sent back out by the Nazis. The suitcases: meticulously marked by people that thought they were being relocated when in actuality they were being transported to their death. At least 1.1 millions people were murdered here, many within hours of arrival. I never want to go back to Auschwitz. But it is important to be reminded of the horrors that we, humans, have committed against one another.

From George Santayana’s Reason in Common Sense, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” I guarantee, the emotions that you feel while walking in those rooms, courtyards, fields and gas chambers cannot be described and will never be forgotten.

Entering Auschwitz: "Labour makes you free"

Wroclaw

Wroclaw is a smaller, but very attractive university city with an untouristy feel. While the weather did not cooperate while I was there (it rained the entire time), the city was a very enjoyable stop on my way from Berlin to Krakow. I was in a string of “tourist” cities, so getting off the beaten track for awhile was a refreshing recovery opportunity. I met a student while strolling around and he made sure I saw the best view of the city before I left. It turns out, that view was from a restricted lookout in one of the university buildings—pretty cool. I am consistently amazed by how friendly people have been throughout this trip. It’s refreshing…and definitely appreciated.

Car show in Wroclaw

Japanese Gardens in Wroclaw

Krakow

Krakow is my favorite city in Europe so far. The people are fantastic, the food is excellent and inexpensive, the city is gorgeous and it is not overrun with tourists—not yet at least. I have a suspicion that within the next few years, the new “Eastern Europe” route is going to be Berlin => Prague => Budapest => Krakow. (Yes, I put Eastern Europe in quotes on purpose.) Almost everyone in the hostel extended their stay, and those that did not, could not do to other commitments.

My recommendation, experience Krakow soon, before it becomes the next Prague.

Wieliczka Salt Mines