A = Auschwitz, Poland
AUSCHWITZ - Poland Background and history ... Auschwitz - it's a familiar word, a place, with a big story to tell. But to be quite frank, it's not until you go there, set foot in the place, reflect awhile, that you really understand. Which does not, by any means, mean you can fathom what went on here. So rather than background and history, I'll just share my experience and thoughts. My Auschwitz story ... I'd previously been to two concentration camps: Dachau (Germany) and Thereseinstadt (Terezin) in Czech Republic (aka modern Czechia) and, although it's not quite the right word, I was eager to visit Auschwitz to get a feel for the place and learn more about what transpired there. In July/August 2019, with my tour leader hat on, I was leading a group of senior travellers through Russia, Baltic States and Poland and we visited Auschwitz, east of Krakow. Everyone knew this would be a harrowing afternoon; in fact, a couple of people opted out, they just could...