Krakow, Poland (Phill)
Okay, I promise you I'm not addicted to the internet, but each day is a new country and a new currency. Right before I leave I'm stuck with all this worthless money and a wait for a train so I go to the internet. Hey! C'mon I'm doing it for you! There's all this pressure cause if neither of us post for two days then our hit rate falls! :)
I was floating on air last night for some reason. I found my night train and had the entire 6 berth compartment to myself. The train was really quiet, brilliant. Plus, the only other folks in the carrige were smart backpackers. Not the American-Frat-Drink-Your-Way-Around-Europe, but the ones who actually take the time to walk past the bars and see the sights. Anyway, I was really impressed with a couple of Kiwi's who were taking a camper van accross europe. Cool stuff.
Anyway, got some sleep and even convinced the Polish Immigration guy (at 3am) to stamp my passport (British passports rarely needs visas and so no stamps) so I was chuffed. Anyway, I was awoken by a crude Mexican accent shouting about stuff being stolen. Anyway, I ended up bumping into the guy while waiting in line for tickets for the train out tonight. We ended up going to Auschwitz together.
Yeah on that. This was definately one of the highlights of my trip. A totally unqiue and daunting place. Before you get in you watch a video which is simply horrific. You really are in a new frame of mind walking around the place. The Death Chambers were chilling. All in all about a million a half died there over the 4 years. Terrible terrible stuff and you feel a bit strange 'touristing' this sight. The guided tour was brilliant though, very in depth. But you come accross piles and piles of human hair, shoes, luggage, spectacles etc... It was the biggest concentration/death camp but the SS tried to destroy it before they left so a lot of the records have been lost.
Okay, finished emailing and chatting with my boss, so I'm off to catch my train overnight to Berlin, 11 hours, and I didn't get a bed, only a chair. Supposed to meet Christine (German girl I met in Ireland) at 2ish tomorrow.
Posted by Admin at August 26, 2002 11:36 AM