This is a tough one to start. I’ve been teaching middle school for 30 of my 32 years in education. When I started teaching 8th grade Night was a book that was in my curriculum. It still is today. Previous to this trip, I had toured Dachau, the first concentration camp, but today we would visit the setting of Night: Auschwitz, the biggest concentration/killing camp created by the Nazi regime. This was a big moment for me.
The tour picked us up just outside the hotel after a gorgeous buffet breakfast with Polish flare. There were pastries , sausages,Polish pancakes, pickles and meats as well as yogurts and vegetable shots, which were everywhere.
We drove around the city picking people up for the day in our red tour van. We spotted some beautiful restaurants around our pick up spot and we were all anticipating the day.
The bus ride took about an hour and a half to get to the site. They are very strict about tickets and the whole process so we made sure to follow the rules and expectations. Our guide met us inside and we were off and running. The heat was intensifying and there wasn’t much cover. The information was overwhelming and hard to hear. All the kids had read the book, and after we chatted quite a bit about the impact of the day. It was heavy. It was hard to see, especially the children’s belongings. But it’s important to know.
They did show us the hair collected from prisoners, but no pictures were allowed. That brought tears to my eyes. This was all very hard to take in and realize these things are from real people.
Next we had some lunch and then went to Birkenau/Buna camps, which were the additions when they needed more space. This was known as the reception center for Auschwitz and where the prisoners would be taken off the trains and registered at the camp, their number tattooed on arms, no matter your age. Elie Wiesel was A7713, A for Auschwitz, the number his new identity. Much of this camp was demolished by the Nazis, who were trying to hide evidence of what they had done. There was a cattle car there, one that would have brought the prisoners to the camp in the dark of night. Replica bunk houses were there as well, showing how prisoners lived. The remains of gas chambers are also here, but not much is left.
While we were here, storms appeared to be rolling in and we received several notifications on our phones of orange warnings and to be careful. The storms rolled up but literally separated and went around. Then we headed back to the bus for our ride into Krakow. It was a heavy day.
Now we were headed back to Krakow to explore and grab dinner. As we were staying in Olde Towne, it was a literal 5 minute walk to the square. It was a beautiful night and the square was filled with people enjoying dinner and drinks. We were able to catch the trumpeter fireman who plays from St. Mary’s Basilica on the hour from the tower window, we walked and shopped, with Jake and Diana trying several local delicacies on the way.
While we were all checking out the square, Max, Seamus, and Catherine headed up to Wawel Castle to do some exploring of their own. There is a fire breathing dragon near the Castle that is there to protect Krakow. Honestly we needed several more days to see all the amazing things just Krakow has to share! Oh and the kids all walked to a large Warhammer store too; unfortunately they do not take pictures like I do🤪
Now it was time for dinner! Jake and Diana found a great place outside for all of us to enjoy. The food was amazing and we had fun with the manager!
Now we were off for a night cap. Seamus, Catherine, and Max headed back up to check out the dragon, but unfortunately he did not breathe fire for them. The rest of us wanted to try some Polish vodka before hitting the hay for the night.
After a successful day in Poland, it was time to head for bed. Tomorrow is a major travel day! Off to Prague we will go; rain and storms coming to Krakow so it’s the perfect segue! Good night!
Kennedy Family Travels 