A Most Thankful Thanksgiving

Auschwitz-Birkenau might be one of the best known names in history for being the site of one of the most heinous crimes against mankind. Reading about it in textbooks children around the world learn about the atrocious events that occurred here between 1941 - 1944, but a visit to this massive outdoor museum/memorial invokes the deepest emotions and vivid understanding about the events that happened. I cannot think of a more humbling place to have visited on my Thanksgiving with my family and friends safely at home sitting inside their warm houses and eating their lavish feasts, it was impossible not to shed a tear imaging that same family and friends enduring the horrors of this hell on earth.  Pictures not words express the feelings inspired here…

Train that delivered thousands to there death

              The infamous scene of Birkenau's entrance and last thing so many souls would see.

                                                  GUARD TOWER AT BIRKENAU

 The ruins of one of the gas chambers where unsuspecting victims would meet their cruel demise.

Incinerator to burn the bodies of those "Exterminated", destroyed by the Nazi's as they retreated.

                                                              Glasses of victims.

                                             The houses of Jewish workers at Auschwitz

                            The furnaces used to cremate and hide the remains of those killed.

                                                              Faces of Victims

                                Shoes of victims,,, Each one symbolizing a loss of life.

             Suitcases surrendered by arriving Jews that would be sorted for reusable possessions.

                                            Toilet for over 10,000 women prisoners

                                                      Twins sadistically experimented on.

                                           VICTIMS AND THEIR DATES OF MURDER

                                     ENTRANCE TO AUSCHWITZ "WORK FOR FREEDOM"

Schindler's Factory

The popular film ‘Schindler’s List’ sheds some insight into the life of Oskar Schindler and the holocaust, however visiting his famed enamel factory reveals this charismatic man’s true life. A former criminal and prisoner in Germany, Oskar Schindler moved to Poland after the Nazi invaders had conquered it in hopes to find wealth in exploiting the fallen lands resources and workforce.

Time however would change his mindset, goals and motivations as he acquired sympathy for the plight of the Jews. His factory gave hope in the darkest times of the Krakow Ghetto, offering employees the best conditions possible and daily warm meals. When the Gastapo was ordered to round up all Jews to be sent to neighboring concentration camps; Schindler demanded his Jews stay and did his best to get those deported sent back to spare their lives. His factory slowly acquired more and more Jewish workers, offering no dream life but a safe haven from a worse fate.

Although his true intentions remain today controversial only those who survived the Holocaust as a result of Oskar Schindler can attest to that. Regardless of the stories that have emerged from Hollywood, it seems that this place will forever radiate myths of heroism and compassion during the world’s darkest times.

KRAKOW

This former capital of Poland, unlike Warsaw was left relatively preserved during the war although its people endured the same hardships imposed during Nazi occupation and establishment of ghettos. The city today is still packed full of historic churches, universities, market places and more. The most iconic symbol of Krakow and Poland as a whole is Wawel Castle. Perched atop a hill in the old town this impressive castle housed the kings of the past and today elegantly displays the much more prosperous times throughout Poland’s rich history.

Known now as the home of Pope John Paul II, he was actually born in a small town outside of Krakow. The city should be better known from its royal history, role during WWII, and presently as a lively city where young people not only around Poland but the world can unite in this city of intellects! Krakow is sure to inspire even the dullest of pallets with its vivacious flare.

Sadness Within a City

Pawiak is the former prison used by the Gestapo to imprison over 60,000 so called "political prisoners" 37,000 of whom were executed often publicly to instill fear of those still living in the ghettos from resistance.

The second site is the near by train station platform the obviously has left an obvious footprint on the land. Both sites are stark reminders of the horror inflicted by the occupying Nazi regime.

WARSZAWA

Warsaw is a quiet city that was completely destroyed during WWII but like the resilience of its residents, it has been rebuilt and now serves as the capitol of a still recovering war-torn country. Its downtown is now spotted with several skyscrapers symbolizing a slowly growing economy while its old town has been beautifully rebuilt in its pre-war style consisting of brightly colored buildings, a palace and a number of churches.

On the other side of town you will find a line marked ghetto 1944. It was this line in which a wall was built around the Jewish ghetto where over 400,000 people were crammed together and striped of their basic human rights. On the outside, German officers took residence with their families and lived a lavish lifestyle while maintaining obedience of the prisoners it kept within the ghetto walls.

On August 1, 1944, like elsewhere in Poland began the infamous Warsaw uprising. Expecting the arrival of the red army, literal underground resistance fighters organized and prepared to take back the city from the Nazi’s. These hastily prepared and armed Poles emerged from the sewers below the city in attempt to take Nazi strong holds and oust them from the city. Fighting continued until October 2, 1944 when the Red Army never arrived and the uprising failed. In response to this insolence of the Polish people in Warsaw 90% of the city was destroyed, leaving the daunting post war task of rebuilding which is ongoing today. 

Look who it is!

My first Santa sighting of 2012 on the streets of Lviv! He's going 'Green' this year and no turbo jet sleigh.

LVIV

Near the border with Poland, this city has a unique blend of former communism with typical European charm. The central market square is a lively place where tourists can be seen feeding pigeons outside the opera, local men sitting on benches playing cards, and older children beating the younger children at a game of soccer in empty parking lots. It may not be the wealthiest of cities but it’s people will show you wealth through simple happiness.

Without a doubt the best place in the city is atop of castle hill in the evening. Locals and tourists alike climb to the top of this once fortified hill for its amazing 360 degree view of the entire city. As the sunsets the church spires shimmer and the city seems frozen in time.

KIEV

This former communist city is now a growing capital trying to break from its past repression and create its own cultural identity. Around the city one will find countless memorials dedicated to the unfathomable losses of life endured by this nation throughout the ages. From world wars to communist induced mass famines, from natural disasters to manmade ones, no one went unaffected by these hardships.

Despite Kiev’s dark past and sometimes bleak existence however, on the outside it does maintain its European charm. With extravagant cathedrals, churches and gold capped monasteries of various colors mixed with spacious parks it is a very pleasant city to walk around and see beyond the suffering. Bright colored shops and apartments contrast and conceal the many concrete communist style buildings.

The one thing however that makes this city most worth a visit is its people.  Even with all the political turmoil and corruption, poverty and past hardships it is the determination of its people and their outgoing hospitality that makes the city feel warm and welcoming. The local shop owners don’t try to cheat the tourists out of money, pedestrians on the street are all too excited to help a foreigner that looks lost, and even on the darkest, coldest and hardest of days the people carry on with their business creating the much needed optimism that will lead the rest of the country in a progressive direction.