Krakow, Poland & Auschwitz

After being in Germany for a solid month and a few days, we decided it was time to spread our wings. We never really had Poland in mind as a place to visit, but we really wanted to do a tour of Auschwitz/Birkenau Concentration Camp. I'll get to that in a second. 

Things to know about Poland in October. It is REALLY cold. It has SNOW! To be honest, it has a bit of a depressed feeling looming over it. It's super cheap, which rocks. Having supper at The Hard Rock Cafe in Krakow is delicious, cheap and will 100% guarantee in giving you a lovely little food baby. The Old Town area is pretty! 

Now, about Auschwitz. It's difficult to write about it and put it into words, but I will do the best I can. Throughout school and such, me and Bailey had both shared an interest in learning about WWII. We knew going to the worlds biggest and most famous death camp would be difficult, but it was what brought us to Poland, and something we knew we wanted to experience. Let me tell you though that it is the most overwhelming, heartbreaking, unsettling and eye-opening experience. With the tour package we did, we got a guided tour of the Auschwitz Museum, which was full of all evidence and records and belongings of the lives lost during Nazi terror. We also were taken to the Auschwitz/Birkenau camp. Which is what people of the world have seen pictures, videos, etc of. The barracks and crematoriums are located here. It was so unbelievably sad walking the grounds knowing that exactly where your feet were stepping, millions of innocent others took there last. There are certain things we saw that can never be erased from our minds, and certain emotions we felt that can never be forgotten. You can truly feel all the lost souls. Walking out of the gates at the end of the day was filled with many mixed feelings. Confusion and sorrow for all those we never got to do it, but also so much thankfulness for the gift of life we're blessed with. Go hug your parents, tell someone you love them. Spread kindness everywhere you go and shut hatred down just as often. Love every single breath that enters your lungs, because this life is much to precious to take for granted. 

Love, 

M & B