A Day in Berlin

Just before I came home to South Africa, I spent a day in Berlin with my new friends I had made while teaching in Poland. It's a two hour drive from Szczecin (Polish city that lies on the border of Poland and Germany) to Berlin.

The Trabant car was very popular during communism
and can be found all over the city.

Berlin was way bigger than I expected but I was shocked at how much I enjoyed spending time in the city. It has an interesting atmosphere; very touristy in the centre but very cool and only a little hipster :)

I enjoyed taking photos of the city

Because I was only there for the day, my super cool friend, Amanda, played tour guide and took me around the major attractions of the city.

We rented bicycles (the city is too big to walk to all these places) and weaved our way through traffic and people. I was convinced I was going to crash. I haven't ridden a bike since I was a kid and now I had to dodge killing old grannies trying to waddle on the side walk? No one was hurt except maybe my pride; the saying "it's like riding a bicycle; you never forget" is utter bull crap.






Berlin is the capital of Germany and it's largest city. After WWII, the city was completely divided into 4 zones. West was occupied by America, The UK and France, while the East was controlled by the Soviet Union. A wall was put up overnight that separated the sides. In 1989, the wall was brought down but pieces were preserved in pockets all over the city.

"Madness" found on the Berlin Wall

Checkpoint Charlie was really interesting in my opinion. It was one of the crossing points between East and West Berlin. It's found in the American sector and is now a symbol of the Cold War. In 1961, there was a real cowboy-like stand off (only with tanks instead of pistols) on opposite sides of the barrier. It ended peacefully though.

Me sitting on a piece of the Wall.

Brandenburg Gate is a former city gate but now holds more of a symbolic attraction to the city. It has been the site of many historical events throughout history. I thought it quite amazing that it survived two world wars.

I'm such a tourist

Within the city is the Holocaust Memorial that was designed to commemorate the murder of the Jews at the hand of the Nazis. I found the monument quite cold. Previously experiencing Auschwitz, I thought it was quite unsatisfactory. It's only a short distance from the ruins of where Hitler's bunker is buried.

A quiet Saturday morning

I wish I could have spent more time in the city but I'm glad I was able to visit before I left. Berlin is full of interesting places and one can do so much without getting bored. It's history is astounding; granted most of it is concentrated on WWII but I enjoyed it none the less. Ich liebe Berlin! :)

Berlin Hearts You!

Auschwitz, Death Camp Part 2

Most people grow up with some knowledge of World War II. I did more than most in South Africa because my grandmother is a direct survivor of the war. I always heard stories of her experiences growing up so I have a natural interest in the history of what happened. When the opportunity to see Auschwitz came, I jumped at it.

Jews were brought from all over Europe via cattle train to Berkenau. Sometimes it took up to 10 days to reach the camp, without food or water. Many old people and children were dead upon arrival.

An example of the cattle train

Once unloaded, men and women were immediately examined by officers to judge who would live and work, and who would be put to death. Those are the ones who were sent straight to the gas chambers. Doctors also had their pick of who they wanted to experiment on here.

The line up

5-7 kg of poison was used to kill about 1 500 people

Poison was used in the chambers called Cyclon B. People died within 15-20 minutes. Bodies were either put to incinerators or cremation pits.

Crematorium at Auschwitz

Prisoners were punished for whatever reasons officers could think of; working too slowly, helping fellow prisoners, sharing a meal. Punishments included death by starvation, prolonged standing, cell confinement and also beatings. This happened in a building called the "Death Block."

The ruins of one the blown up chambers

Towards the liberation of the camp, the SS men tried to conceal evidence of the camp by blowing up the gas chambers and and two crematoria at Berkenau but you can still see the ruins of what was left.





If you decide to visit Poland (which I highly recommend you do), visiting Auschwitz will add substance and depth to your trip. I was emotionally exhausted after the tour but it has certainly made me so grateful for what I have.

This is written in 20 different languages at the memorial site

Here is Part 1 of my Auschwitz post

Auschwitz, The Final Solution Part 1

This past weekend I decided to travel to Krakow one last time before going back home to South Africa. I'd been once before but this time I wanted to go for two reasons besides seeing the beautiful city.

1. Say goodbye to my dear friend Amanda who taught with me in Radom

2. Visit Auschwitz

"Work brings Freedom"

Auschwitz was the biggest concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland for Poles, political prisoners and European Jews. From 1940 to 1945, it was the centre of mass extermination of the Jewish race. An estimated 1,5 million victims died there.

The camp was walled off by double electric barbed wire

Not only did death come via gas chamber, but also through deliberate starvation, work exhaustion, criminal experiments, shooting and hanging.

Auschwitz was chosen as the site for the eradication of Jews because it was "easily isolated and camouflaged." The camp is situated in the south of Poland and surrounded by forest.

The camps were based around the town Oswiecim

Auschwitz is made up of three big camps named I, II (Auschwitz - Berkenau) and III (Auschwitz - Monowice). There are a few kilometres between them. I and II are now museums open to the public.

Suitcases brought with families

Most Jews that arrived were convinced that they were being resettled in Eastern Europe. Promise of land and honest work made people bring their most prized belongings with them. Jewelry was usually hidden or sewn into their clothes but was always found by soldiers. Thousands of glasses, shoes, clothes, cups and pots; anything you can think of, was brought and sorted through to be taken back to Germany.





Hair was shaven off every prisoner and collected to be made into cloth for clothes and blankets in Germany. 7 tons of hair was found in the camp the day it was liberated.

To be continued in Part 2

The railway line to Berkenau that transported the prisoners