I don’t know if ‘looking forward’ is the right phrase to use here but we’d been set on the idea of visiting Auschwitz & Birnkenau while in Poland, I think it’s something you have to do while you’re here, even if it is an uncomfortable experience. I don’t really have much to say, I’m struggling to find the words to describe this place apart from saying what it is, a horrifying memorial to those who gave their lives for no cause other than one mans prejudice.
I will explain a little bit about the struggle to had to actually visit the place – after much internet trawling it appeared that if you arrive between 8 – 10am and 3 – 6pm you can get in for free and walk round at your own pace rather than with a guide so we decided to do this. When we arrived at just after 3pm there was a huge queue and a sign saying that you would only be able to enter with a pre-booked ticket – uh-oh. The helpful man at the gate told me we could go over to a white portacabin and get a free entry pass but the earliest we could get was for 6.40pm. Apparently you are supposed to book a slot on the website for entry, I did try to do this but it was trying to charge us £40.00 per person and either i’m a bit of a dumdum or it’s just not an easy thing to do. Anyways, we managed to get in at 6pm and it turned out for the best, we missed the thunderstorm that passed over and had the place nearly to ourselves to take it all in.
I personally don’t think you would need a guide to visit, there is so much information to take in from the exhibits in the buildings – each piece more heart breaking than the last. We didn’t take many photos really, we were just absorbing the atmosphere and trying to understand the gravity of the horrors which happened here.
I would really recommend visiting the camps if you are in Poland – I don’t think the holocaust is something you can even begin to understand without seeing these places for yourself. Looking at the photos of the prisoners which lines the walls and seeing firsthand the places where they were tortured both mentally and physically is not a pleasant experience but it’s not supposed to be. It’s an experience which truly helps us to learn from the huge, devastating mistakes of others.
tiny van adventures 