This blog contains details and pictures related to Auschwitz, it might not be suitable for some people or children. If you are under 14 please get your parent, guardian or teacher to read this first to make sure they are happy for you to read and watch.
Having had a good rest over new year I was ready to get going again. Leaving Krakow I made the silly mistake of not mapping a good route out of town. I find that cities tend to act as a giant maze and without a detailed map, ending up on the wrong road is easy. My large scale map was next to useless and the road signs were not helping either. I stopped by a junction and leaned the bike against a post to try and get my bearings. A women came up to me and started talking, feeling rather sheepish, at my lack of comprehension, I managed to explain that i did not speak any Ukrainian, she did not speak any English. Still, I managed to ask her if this road was the way I wanted to go. She conveyed that she did not know but pointed to a small fast food stand. She said that she would mind my bike, I trusted her. The girl at the fast food stand spoke great English and assured me that this was the right way keep going turn right at the next crossroads, then keep going, great. I returned to the smiling woman who was looking after my bike. She delved into one of her shopping bags and brought out a large piece of flat bread with a crushed apple topping, sort of like an apple pie pizza. I thanked her for the wonderful gift and she smiled and waved me goodbye. A few hours later and it was getting dark, I was on the right road now for sure, the road signs were matching up things were good. The hard part was over, leaving the warm cosy hostel and the maze of city streets. I found a small woodland and set up camp.
The next day was spent wondering why all the shops were closed, it turned out the 6th is Epiphany and a public holiday, it is a continues to amaze me how little I know. Fortunately I had plenty of food so all I had to do was get to the town of Oswiecim for a visit to Auschwitz. Here are the remains of one of the Nazi death camps from the second world war. There are plenty of intact buildings now serving as Museums, as well as the remains of other buildings that were destroyed.
The death camps had one purpose: to kill people, mainly Jews. It is hard to describe a visit to a place like this, it’s not like going to a Museum where you can come out and say ‘wow that was great, I really enjoyed that’. The mood of the group that I toured with was sombre throughout and I left with a strange feeling. Despite this, it is worth visiting, just to know that this happened, the museum severs to educate people as to what happened so that we will never forget. Over 1.3 million people were killed here whilst the death camp was operational.
My words will not do this any justice but I hope that these pictures try to.
More information can be found with the links below, there is a camping site 700m from Auschwitz, follow the signs from the Auschwitz Museum car park. It is only open during the summer, i found a free camping spot nearby.
You are right – words do not do it justice but your pictures are haunting images, and very moving.