Just a quick post – we fly out in the morning for SW France. Krakow has been wonderful. The Old Town is in it’s original condition – not bombed during World War 2. Pretty rare! Lots of atmosphere in the main square – lots of people wandering about, restaurants everywhere, smart carriages being pulled by beautiful horses, the very famous Cloth Hall, the Adam Mickiewicz Monument, hordes of pigeons trying to steal your food. St Mary’s Church dominates the skyline – pretty impressive inside as well. We did an “Old Town” walking tour with Tomas – so informative. Another comedian – must be a criteria for the job! Also did the “Jewish History” walking tour of Kazimierz – the Jewish Quarter, and Podgorze – the area sectioned off as a Jewish ghetto during the war. Again excellent. So much history!
In the middle of it all that we took a day tour of Auschwitz 1 and Auschwitz 2/Birkenau. So moving, so vivid. I won’t go into a lot of detail – it feels too personal. Kind of disrespectful. Auschwitz 1 was set up in some local Polish Army Barracks – rows of red brick buildings adapted for use. It’s now an amazing museum. Birkenau was constructed by the prisioners and was purpose built. A railway track runs through the main gate to an unloading platform, 100’s of barracks made of brick or timber, gas chambers and crematoriums around the perimeter, often hidden in the forest. Apparently efficiency was the key. My heart feels heavy even as I write.
Will catch up again when we’ve settled into Uzer – a little village in the Pyrenees, SW France. Our next house sit.
Love as always
Di and Reg
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