Anyone been to Auschwitz?

Brisk.Brisk. Posts: 11,567
edited January 2010 in All Encompassing Trip
Sorry to make a thread about it but i seriously want to take a trip out and visit this place. After watching The Pianist and Schindlers List it just restarted my goal of actually visiting the place and now i have the ability to.

I just ask if anyone has been and whether there is anything around Auschwitz worth seeing? best way of getting there? accomodation etc?

Was thinking of flying to Katowice as its the closest airport?

I forgot to mention that i would like to see the Warsow and Karkow Ghettos if they have some sort of monuments or museums as i doubt they still have those areas cornered off.
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  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,922
    I have not been to Auschwitz, but I have been to Dachau and it was a quite an experience, incredibly emotional. I was 18 or 19 when I went and was with a soccer team I was travelling Europe with and it was one hell of an experience to see it. I would recommed going to either.
  • Brisk.Brisk. Posts: 11,567
    Cliffy6745 wrote:
    I have not been to Auschwitz, but I have been to Dachau and it was a quite an experience, incredibly emotional. I was 18 or 19 when I went and was with a soccer team I was travelling Europe with and it was one hell of an experience to see it. I would recommed going to either.

    ok cool thanks, im 19 too ;p
  • Same as above, not Auschwitz, but I went to Dachau about 10 years ago... Incredibly sobering experience. I can't even describe what emotions you feel, but you leave there a little bit of a changed person.
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,922
    Same as above, not Auschwitz, but I went to Dachau about 10 years ago... Incredibly sobering experience. I can't even describe what emotions you feel, but you leave there a little bit of a changed person.

    Well said, I was trying to come up with the best way to describe it and couldn't but you did a great job.

    I was pretty young and didn't really expect to feel the emotions I felt. I walked out of there speechless.

    I was actually looking through some pictures recently and it really brings you back. It was an emotional experience. My coach had fairly close ties to the Holocaust (not sure if it was Dachau), he was a tough hard nosed older guy and he absolutely broke down.
  • I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau in 2008, I spent a few weeks in Poland visiting family and the beautiful country.

    If I were you I would fly to Krakow as there is a lot of accommodation and just a beautiful city in general. The camps are located in the town Oswiecim (Auschwitz being the German pronunciation). I caught a mini bus from Krakow to Oswiecim which took about 40 minutes. But there are heaps of tours you can book from Krakow if you don't know how to get there yourself.

    I thought Auschwitz was depressing enough, but when they take you down the road to Birkenau the enormity of it is unbelievable. I don't think i'm the same person since, not in a bad way, it's just changed they way i think about things.
  • Hitch-HikerHitch-Hiker Posts: 2,873
    I visited Auschwitz a couple of years ago. along with birkenau it's an indescribable experience. It's a horrible horrible place. But i think it's important that it's there and if you have a chance to visit it, do so. I came away with a whole new perspective on the war and the holocaust. It has to be seen to be believed.
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  • comebackgirlcomebackgirl Posts: 9,885
    I visited Auschwitz in 2000 while visiting family. All I can say is that it's a very chilling experience. It left me feeling rattled. It's definitely emotionally overwhelming, as I knew it would be, but I agree - you leave feeling like a changed person.
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  • I didn't get chance to go when i went Poland but stay in Krackow and get the train from there.
  • i really think this is an exellent idea..the place must have feelings that u cant find in any other place..good choice Ed
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  • I haven't but I really really want to.

    I've been to the WWI trenches and cemetaries in Ypres and that changed me, I can only imagine what Auschwitz would do...

    Eduardo, let me know how you get on with plans/costs etc.
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Brisk.Brisk. Posts: 11,567
    I haven't but I really really want to.

    I've been to the WWI trenches and cemetaries in Ypres and that changed me, I can only imagine what Auschwitz would do...

    Eduardo, let me know how you get on with plans/costs etc.

    thanks for all the feedback so far ::D

    you too!? I went to all of Ypres for a year 9 history trip! The cemetry fields that i were insane. There was the Tyne Cot Cemetary and a few others. We visited a massive one which just had little crosses and poppies on them, annoyed i cant figure out what one that was but i think that was the biggest we saw there.

    yeah i just even get chills just watching those graphical biograpgrahies (i dont REALLY consider them movies). Just sorta feel like i owe to them to go visit the place at least. I presume you walk through the gate which says "Work will set you free"?
  • went to Dachau.

    meh.

    I can look around pretty much anywhere to remind me of the hatred and ignorance in this world.
    Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
  • Brisk. wrote:
    I haven't but I really really want to.

    I've been to the WWI trenches and cemetaries in Ypres and that changed me, I can only imagine what Auschwitz would do...

    Eduardo, let me know how you get on with plans/costs etc.

    thanks for all the feedback so far ::D

    you too!? I went to all of Ypres for a year 9 history trip! The cemetry fields that i were insane. There was the Tyne Cot Cemetary and a few others. We visited a massive one which just had little crosses and poppies on them, annoyed i cant figure out what one that was but i think that was the biggest we saw there.

    yeah i just even get chills just watching those graphical biograpgrahies (i dont REALLY consider them movies). Just sorta feel like i owe to them to go visit the place at least. I presume you walk through the gate which says "Work will set you free"?

    Yeah, ours was year 10 I think! We did the Menin Gate, Tyne Cot and the trenches. It was amazing but chilling and life changing.
    Our history teacher told us a story actually, apparently his brother went to Tyne Cot with his son who was 7 at the time. He spend some time there and noticed that as his son was walking, he was touching every single grave stone on his methodical way around the cemetary. When asked what he was doing upon their leaving, the son said he was 'saying thank you' to every soldier who died for him. You should have seen us, a group of 50 fifteen year olds in tears outside a clapped out British coach :roll: :oops:

    I've wanted to go to Auschwitz since then.

    Dave's sister went last year, I'll ask her where she stayed, what she did for travel etc for you :)
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Black DiamondBlack Diamond Posts: 25,107
    I don't think I could bring myself to go...
    Too close to home.
    GoiMTvP.gif
  • Brisk.Brisk. Posts: 11,567
    what a lovely little story.

    ah yes Menin Gate we went there, infact when we were there, there was some ceremony going too.

    thanks a lot!

    Not sure if there is a best time to go as well.. i presume during the summer so you dont just see snow or just have rain etc but it could add to effect hmm.

    I forgot to mention that i would like to see the Warsow and Karkow Ghettos if they have some sort of monuments or museums as i doubt they still have those areas cornered off.
  • went to Dachau.

    meh.

    I can look around pretty much anywhere to remind me of the hatred and ignorance in this world.

    so that's what it's like to have no soul

    i went to dachau and was moved to tears
  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,922
    Some great responses. Brings back a lot of memories and feelings.
  • went to Dachau.

    meh.

    I can look around pretty much anywhere to remind me of the hatred and ignorance in this world.

    so that's what it's like to have no soul

    i went to dachau and was moved to tears

    Yeah... not sure how you could go to a place like that and just say, "meh"

    10 years later, and I still am moved by some of the things I saw.

    I remember there was a pistol (execution) range with a "blood ditch"... I just stood there unable to comprehend that they killed so many people that they had to actually dig a ditch to collect the blood... wtf...
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • AmherstJammerAmherstJammer Amherst, Massachusetts Posts: 1,510
    went to Dachau.

    meh.

    I can look around pretty much anywhere to remind me of the hatred and ignorance in this world.


    I don't think anyone with a relative that died at Dachau would think visiting would be "meh"
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    I don't think I could bring myself to go...
    Too close to home.


    I thought you lived in America :problem:




    ;)



    I've always wanted to go. People from work have been and they have said it is genuinely moving and yet makes you angry and sad at the same time... a bit like me trying to do a rubiks cube.
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • Black DiamondBlack Diamond Posts: 25,107
    dunkman wrote:
    I don't think I could bring myself to go...
    Too close to home.


    I thought you lived in America :problem:




    ;)



    I've always wanted to go. People from work have been and they have said it is genuinely moving and yet makes you angry and sad at the same time... a bit like me trying to do a rubiks cube.
    :lol:
    GoiMTvP.gif
  • Brisk. wrote:
    Sorry to make a thread about it but i seriously want to take a trip out and visit this place. After watching The Pianist and Schindlers List it just restarted my goal of actually visiting the place and now i have the ability to.

    I just ask if anyone has been and whether there is anything around Auschwitz worth seeing? best way of getting there? accomodation etc?

    Was thinking of flying to Katowice as its the closest airport?

    I forgot to mention that i would like to see the Warsow and Karkow Ghettos if they have some sort of monuments or museums as i doubt they still have those areas cornered off.

    Don't think the concentration camp in Schindler's List was Auschwitz, was it not Plaszow :roll:
    29th May 2000 London, 30th May 2000 London, 8th July 2003 MSG
    9th July 2003 MSG, 1st June 2006 East Rutherford
    3rd June 2006 East Rutherford, 29th August 2006 Arnhem
    28th June 2007 Nijmegan, 24th June 2008 MSG, 25th June 2008 MSG, 23rd August 2009 Chicago, 24th August 2009 Chicago.
    May 17th 2010 Boston, May 20th 2010 MSG, May 21st 2010 MSG.
    June 28th Berlin, July 9th Bilbao
    EV solo: 22nd June NYC, 25th June Philly 2011
    Alpine Valley 3rd & 4th September 2011, Montreal 7th September 2011
  • Black DiamondBlack Diamond Posts: 25,107
    BadaBing wrote:
    Brisk. wrote:
    Sorry to make a thread about it but i seriously want to take a trip out and visit this place. After watching The Pianist and Schindlers List it just restarted my goal of actually visiting the place and now i have the ability to.

    I just ask if anyone has been and whether there is anything around Auschwitz worth seeing? best way of getting there? accomodation etc?

    Was thinking of flying to Katowice as its the closest airport?

    I forgot to mention that i would like to see the Warsow and Karkow Ghettos if they have some sort of monuments or museums as i doubt they still have those areas cornered off.

    Don't think the concentration camp in Schindler's List was Auschwitz, was it not Plaszow :roll:
    The scene where the women are separated and taken to concentration camp by mistake was Auschwitz
    GoiMTvP.gif
  • BadaBing wrote:
    Brisk. wrote:
    Sorry to make a thread about it but i seriously want to take a trip out and visit this place. After watching The Pianist and Schindlers List it just restarted my goal of actually visiting the place and now i have the ability to.

    I just ask if anyone has been and whether there is anything around Auschwitz worth seeing? best way of getting there? accomodation etc?

    Was thinking of flying to Katowice as its the closest airport?

    I forgot to mention that i would like to see the Warsow and Karkow Ghettos if they have some sort of monuments or museums as i doubt they still have those areas cornered off.

    Don't think the concentration camp in Schindler's List was Auschwitz, was it not Plaszow :roll:
    The scene where the women are separated and taken to concentration camp by mistake was Auschwitz

    I must have blinked and missed that scene, but i was meaning the concentration camp where Ralf Fiennes (Amen Goeth) was the commandant of was Plaszow.
    29th May 2000 London, 30th May 2000 London, 8th July 2003 MSG
    9th July 2003 MSG, 1st June 2006 East Rutherford
    3rd June 2006 East Rutherford, 29th August 2006 Arnhem
    28th June 2007 Nijmegan, 24th June 2008 MSG, 25th June 2008 MSG, 23rd August 2009 Chicago, 24th August 2009 Chicago.
    May 17th 2010 Boston, May 20th 2010 MSG, May 21st 2010 MSG.
    June 28th Berlin, July 9th Bilbao
    EV solo: 22nd June NYC, 25th June Philly 2011
    Alpine Valley 3rd & 4th September 2011, Montreal 7th September 2011
  • Black DiamondBlack Diamond Posts: 25,107
    BadaBing wrote:
    Don't think the concentration camp in Schindler's List was Auschwitz, was it not Plaszow :roll:
    The scene where the women are separated and taken to concentration camp by mistake was Auschwitz[/quote]

    I must have blinked and missed that scene, but i was meaning the concentration camp where Ralf Fiennes (Amen Goeth) was the commandant of was Plaszow.[/quote]
    You are correct. I don't think you would have missed that scene. It made my stomach ache. All the ash from the cremetoriums in the air at night as the train arrives with the Nazi with dogs.
    GoiMTvP.gif
  • BadaBing wrote:
    Don't think the concentration camp in Schindler's List was Auschwitz, was it not Plaszow :roll:
    The scene where the women are separated and taken to concentration camp by mistake was Auschwitz

    I must have blinked and missed that scene, but i was meaning the concentration camp where Ralf Fiennes (Amen Goeth) was the commandant of was Plaszow.[/quote]
    You are correct. I don't think you would have missed that scene. It made my stomach ache. All the ash from the cremetoriums in the air at night as the train arrives with the Nazi with dogs.[/quote]

    Haven't seen the film for a while but ye i think i remember it now :( so sad.
    29th May 2000 London, 30th May 2000 London, 8th July 2003 MSG
    9th July 2003 MSG, 1st June 2006 East Rutherford
    3rd June 2006 East Rutherford, 29th August 2006 Arnhem
    28th June 2007 Nijmegan, 24th June 2008 MSG, 25th June 2008 MSG, 23rd August 2009 Chicago, 24th August 2009 Chicago.
    May 17th 2010 Boston, May 20th 2010 MSG, May 21st 2010 MSG.
    June 28th Berlin, July 9th Bilbao
    EV solo: 22nd June NYC, 25th June Philly 2011
    Alpine Valley 3rd & 4th September 2011, Montreal 7th September 2011
  • Brisk.Brisk. Posts: 11,567
    BadaBing wrote:

    Don't think the concentration camp in Schindler's List was Auschwitz, was it not Plaszow :roll:

    Yes, but that doesn't matter.
  • went to Dachau.

    meh.

    I can look around pretty much anywhere to remind me of the hatred and ignorance in this world.

    so that's what it's like to have no soul

    i went to dachau and was moved to tears

    Yeah... not sure how you could go to a place like that and just say, "meh"

    10 years later, and I still am moved by some of the things I saw.

    I remember there was a pistol (execution) range with a "blood ditch"... I just stood there unable to comprehend that they killed so many people that they had to actually dig a ditch to collect the blood... wtf...

    it was early 1980's for me and it is one of the key visual moments of my 6week backpacking trip in europe that has stayed with me the longest. we first went through the on site museum, watched the film, and then they took us on a tour of the grounds. gas chambers et all

    the part that hit me the most was "grave of thousands unknown" where they use to dump the ashes.

    it was so terribly sad, seeing dachau in person. nothing could help boost me through that experience, to the point where i'd ever forget that day. it changed me a little bit that day and i have never been quite the same. it is one place everyone should see.
  • JOEJOEJOEJOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,651
    I don't think I could bring myself to go...
    Too close to home.

    same here....grandparents and uncle didn't make it out. My dad, his brother & sister made it out, but they, understandably, have never gotten over it.
  • JOEJOEJOE wrote:
    I don't think I could bring myself to go...
    Too close to home.

    same here....grandparents and uncle didn't make it out. My dad, his brother & sister made it out, but they, understandably, have never gotten over it.

    Your dad was in Auschwitz? WOW!!

    There's so many words in the English language but sometimes there just ain't enough...
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