Auschwitz I&II

In the morning we woke up drenched in sweat but in Krakow, Poland! After breakfast, where Abby ordered probably the most expensive thing you can find in all of Poland, a 20 euro breakfast buffet because we didn't know the exchange rate, we checked into our hotel (best hostel I have ever stayed at, for 8 euro a night!) Then we hopped on a bus and took the hour and a half ride to visit the Auschwitz Memorial. 

"Work will set you free"

A handful of ashes, only remains that are left of the victims of Auschwitz.

Empty cans of Cyclon B, the gas that was used in the gas chambers. Invented by a Jewish chemist.

This picture has a really interesting story behind it. In July 1941, a group of prisoners was selected to die by means of starvation because some prisoners had attempted to escape, and the Nazis wanted to teach the prisoners a lesson. One of the men selected to die pleaded with the soldiers to not be killed because he had a family. At that moment, Father Kolbe, a Catholic priest who had been sent to Auschwitz because he had hidden over 2,000 jews, overheard this man pleading for his life and offered to take the man's place because he had no family waiting for him. Uncharacteristically, the Nazi soldiers allowed the exchange, and the priest was left to starve with the other prisoners. He was the last one alive, and the Nazis grew tired of waiting for him to die, so they killed him. Pope John Paul II beatified Father Kolbe years later, and the Jewish man whose place he had taken was sitting in the audience with his wife, children, and grandchildren. 

Execution wall.

Gas chamber and crematorium.

Going into the chamber.

After Auschwitz I, we took a short bus ride to Auschwitz II-Birkenau. In my opinion Auschwitz I felt almost too "museum like", but Auschwitz II-Birkenau was completely different. You also had the option to explore the grounds alone, while at Auschwitz I you had to be accompanied by a tour guide. 

Remains of a crematorium- Nazis destroyed it before the end of the war.

Pond where Nazis dumped the victims' ashes. 

Barracks. 

Prisoners' toilets.

Visiting Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau was surreal. At times in Auschwitz I I had to remember this was the actual site millions of people lost their lives, and not just a museum. Auschwitz II-Birkenau made more of an impact on me because it wasn't filled with plaques full of information, it was mostly just the camp, and you were allowed to wander freely. I would definitely suggest visiting if you are ever in Poland because it was a very moving experience.