Visiting Auschwitz Concentration Camps

While in Krakow, I booked a guided tour to visit Auschwitz Concentration Camps. I normally don't book guide tours because I want to save money and always thought they were kind of tacky, to be honest. But I'm really glad I did because having the guide tell us stories and give in depth explanations of the conditions that these people were living in and their faith at the camp, really made the experience that much more powerful.

Just seeing the camps and the different exhibits and pictures, really brought the whole historical demonstration to life. Of course you learn about the holocaust at school and you know it was very tragic but it never really registered for me until I was visiting Auschwitz. It really makes you appreciate everything you have in life.

Many of those who travel to the concentration camps die on the way because the conditions are so bad. They go weeks without a shower, bathrooms, food and water. They are only given a uniform, wooden shoes, and a blanket to survive the blistering hot summers and snow-covered winters. I was shivering at 0 degrees celsius while I had one 3 layers of clothes, a scarf, and a beanie. They had to stand out in much colder weather for hours and I couldn't even stand it for more than 30 minutes. A good job for them was cleaning out defecation. 

Any terrible condition or situation I am in, is nothing, NOTHING, compared to what millions of people had to endure during those horrendous years at the camps. It brings me back to when I did my service trip to Ghana. You witness first hand their conditions, how little they have, and their dim future, it makes you reevaluate everything you take for granted. We complain about not getting wifi or hot water to shower, but we should be grateful that we have the privilege of having them. I am very lucky to having a great family, friends, the luxury of traveling and seeing the world, the privilege of my education and knowing that my future will turn out however I make it.