europe | cmr

Auschwitz. It has grass now; the sky was a brilliant blue; we walked around with layers of clothing, water, cameras and the convenience of kleenex in our back packs. We looked in layers of glass at tons of hair the Germans shaved off the Jews and Gypsies, political prisoners and others, before they were gassed and generations of families were simply and quietly stamped out.

AUSCHWITZ | It was a place we had to visit if were going to be in Eastern Europe. Poland was the number 1 killing country in Eastern Europe during World War II. We wondered, with trepidation, hoping to be courteous, conscientious... how many here think about it everyday? It was difficult not to. Anybody who looked old enough, I thought "Was he a Nazi? Did he lose family? Is he angry, sad, hurt?" Is it exploitation to go to the camp? Is it education? Is it trampling on memories? Is it something best left alone? Conflicting feelings. I attach this mostly to being an American as well, though it's difficult to explain why. We seem to be an enemy; a young child who had no idea about the effects of a disastrous, cutting history.