07 Dec 2024
Our visit to Auschwitz/Birkenau has elicited a profoundly emotional response, prompting a wide range of feelings. I am finding it challenging to process my emotions, which encompass confusion, sadness, anger, and distress. The evidence of the atrocities perpetrated at Auschwitz/Birkenau is compelling, yet it remains difficult to fully comprehend the extent of the horrors inflicted upon the victims. It is deeply disturbing to recognize that there are individuals who refuse to acknowledge the occurrence of these atrocities and that, as human beings, we have not sufficiently learned from these experiences.
Although our driver to Auschwitz, Majeic, was wonderful, our guide through Auschwitz left a lot to be desired. I’m not even sure the name of our guide, as he was not very personable. I think we would have had a must better tour if our driver, Majeic, had conducted the tour rather than the Auschwitz required guide. After a long wait to enter, our guide walked quickly, often leaving behind members of the group. It would have been very helpful to have an introductory video prior to starting the tour to give us a sense of the upcoming experience. Auschwitz was very crowded and it was most difficult to keep up with our guide without him using a flag/umbrella for us to follow. He really did not respond to questions from the group and did not pay attention to the dynamics if the group. Because it was snowing, it was very difficult for the group to stay together. The guide was knowledgeable and shared personal relationships about lol prisoners in the camp, our visit was marred by his lack of attention to the group. After leaving, our driver, Majeic took us to a fantastic restaurant for a meal that was most enjoyable. He was delightful and made a very emotional day palatable.