Dachau and the Hofbrauhaus Tuesday, April 19th, 2011 Day 7

DACHAU



Infamous door leading into Dachau
 "Work Sets You Free"

This is the door that lead to misery and often, death, in the protype of concentration camps, Dachau.  We took a tour and had an interesting and disturbing history lesson on a beautiful sunny day; the beautiful weather belied the intentions and purpose of the camp.

Many of the original buildings are no longer standing.  The lone barrack remaining is a recreaction, but the "bunker", a building whose sole purpose was torture and imprisonment of those detained, is still standing.  It was almost 70f outside, but the temperature inside felt like 40.  Evil is an amorphous, cold presense in this building.  It was an odd and uncomfortable feeling.

Originally there were only 2 crematoriums, but when those 2 were unable to cope with the number of bodies, the creamatorium was expanded, and additionally, a gas chamber was built. To say it was uncomfortable being here is an understatement.

Near the end of the tour, the guide pointed out a statue built by a survivor of the camp.  The statue is doing many things that were forbidden during his captivity:  placing your hands in your pocket, looking upward, wearing warm clothing and not standing at attention.  Ironically, once liberated, the man responsible for the statue became a Neo-Nazi. 



"Honor the dead; warn the living"



Dinner tonight was at the Hofbrauhaus complete with band.  We sat with 2 Russian women, mother and daughter.  Leo was, as usual, our interpreter.  Nice dinner and good food!