Bummed that we didn't really get to see Austria, we get ready for Praha. We drive past Salzburg, and learn that not only is it famous for The Sound of Music, but also for being the headquarters of Red Bull! A few of the girls are excited about this, but we don't stop till we reach Mauthausen, a Nazi concentration camp, and an included landmark on our tour. The atmosphere on the coach is sombre as Marta recaps some of WW2 history.
It feels like a very long drive and it's pouring, but as we get closer to the camp, the rain clears up. The visit is a sobering experience. None of us speak as we take in our surroundings. It is hard to go with our smart phones, pockets full of snacks and the knowledge that we'll leave this place in a little while, to really and truly grasp what atrocities were committed here. Last night, Chris had told me about the quarry and how prisoners carrying large blocks of stone up the steep stairs would be pushed down by guards. Now, looking at the quarry overgrown with vegetation and listening to the chirping of birds chokes up my throat and brings tears to my eyes. It is silent, peaceful. I want to go to the stairs, but there isn't enough time.
Back at the camp, Libby and I find a basement crematorium, and it chills us. The air is cold and dank, and the place feels untouched since a long, long time. The sleeping quarters supposed to hold hundreds of inmates are so small, and I have to read the plaque twice to make sure I'm reading correctly. I feel odd taking photos, but I want to preserve memories. There is a museum displaying the horrific instruments used for torture and murder, and it honestly feels like a work of fiction. As we leave the gas chamber, it starts raining again. I scramble to cover my hair, and immediately think about the thousands of people made to work here in every condition. I definitely appreciate my life a lot more.
After yet another long drive (including two Jump Street movies to lighten the mood), we finally reach Prague. We immediately set out for a walking tour and the included dinner, and meet up with three new tour-mates. After dinner, a few of the group makes their way to the five-story nightclub, but a lot of us walk back to the main centre to catch a tram back to the hotel. We pass the famous Charles Bridge, and goodness, the view. On one side of the bridge is the Prague Castle in its glittering glory, and on the other is the biggest, brightest moon I have ever seen in my life. Another one of those moments. Gosh, what an emotionally heavy day this has been.
The next day is a free day, and we're armed with the knowledge that shopping in Prague is cheaper than the rest of the cities we've been to/will go to. In the morning while eating breakfast we find out that the Duchess of Cambridge has had a baby girl, Charlotte. I drop off my clothes for laundry purposes (freaking finally), and Libby and I take the tram to Prague Castle. We get lost as usual (let's be honest, we don't really like following the map), and end up in these lush gardens. We spot the castle on the other side of this small ravine-like thing, hidden amongst some trees. Fear not, fair prince, I have come to rescue thee!
We end up not going into the castle (sorry, fair prince) as we're pressed for time, but we look around St. Vitus Cathedral and cool off at a nice cafe overlooking the entire city. Remember how I said that Paris was grey? Well, Prague is orange! It is a stunning day, and I kind of feel like a princess sitting here. :-)
By now I'm really itching to check out the cheap shopping everyone's on about, so we leave for the Old Town Square. We find that we need to cut through some gardens for the quickest way down the castle and towards the city. These turn out to be the Palace Gardens under the Prague Castle. We pay 2 Euros to go through the terraced gardens, which I think are two of the best Euros I've spent on this tour (the official currency of Czech Republic is Koruna, or Crowns, but many places seem to accept Euros). The city looks different on every platform of the garden. Then we cross Charles Bridge to come into Old Town, and watch the Astronomical Clock chime 3pm.
After that, we randomly walk through the city and do a bit of shopping till the evening. I finish up the memory on my phone. Too many selfies, I tell ya.
It feels like a very long drive and it's pouring, but as we get closer to the camp, the rain clears up. The visit is a sobering experience. None of us speak as we take in our surroundings. It is hard to go with our smart phones, pockets full of snacks and the knowledge that we'll leave this place in a little while, to really and truly grasp what atrocities were committed here. Last night, Chris had told me about the quarry and how prisoners carrying large blocks of stone up the steep stairs would be pushed down by guards. Now, looking at the quarry overgrown with vegetation and listening to the chirping of birds chokes up my throat and brings tears to my eyes. It is silent, peaceful. I want to go to the stairs, but there isn't enough time.
Back at the camp, Libby and I find a basement crematorium, and it chills us. The air is cold and dank, and the place feels untouched since a long, long time. The sleeping quarters supposed to hold hundreds of inmates are so small, and I have to read the plaque twice to make sure I'm reading correctly. I feel odd taking photos, but I want to preserve memories. There is a museum displaying the horrific instruments used for torture and murder, and it honestly feels like a work of fiction. As we leave the gas chamber, it starts raining again. I scramble to cover my hair, and immediately think about the thousands of people made to work here in every condition. I definitely appreciate my life a lot more.
After yet another long drive (including two Jump Street movies to lighten the mood), we finally reach Prague. We immediately set out for a walking tour and the included dinner, and meet up with three new tour-mates. After dinner, a few of the group makes their way to the five-story nightclub, but a lot of us walk back to the main centre to catch a tram back to the hotel. We pass the famous Charles Bridge, and goodness, the view. On one side of the bridge is the Prague Castle in its glittering glory, and on the other is the biggest, brightest moon I have ever seen in my life. Another one of those moments. Gosh, what an emotionally heavy day this has been.
The next day is a free day, and we're armed with the knowledge that shopping in Prague is cheaper than the rest of the cities we've been to/will go to. In the morning while eating breakfast we find out that the Duchess of Cambridge has had a baby girl, Charlotte. I drop off my clothes for laundry purposes (freaking finally), and Libby and I take the tram to Prague Castle. We get lost as usual (let's be honest, we don't really like following the map), and end up in these lush gardens. We spot the castle on the other side of this small ravine-like thing, hidden amongst some trees. Fear not, fair prince, I have come to rescue thee!
We end up not going into the castle (sorry, fair prince) as we're pressed for time, but we look around St. Vitus Cathedral and cool off at a nice cafe overlooking the entire city. Remember how I said that Paris was grey? Well, Prague is orange! It is a stunning day, and I kind of feel like a princess sitting here. :-)
By now I'm really itching to check out the cheap shopping everyone's on about, so we leave for the Old Town Square. We find that we need to cut through some gardens for the quickest way down the castle and towards the city. These turn out to be the Palace Gardens under the Prague Castle. We pay 2 Euros to go through the terraced gardens, which I think are two of the best Euros I've spent on this tour (the official currency of Czech Republic is Koruna, or Crowns, but many places seem to accept Euros). The city looks different on every platform of the garden. Then we cross Charles Bridge to come into Old Town, and watch the Astronomical Clock chime 3pm.
After that, we randomly walk through the city and do a bit of shopping till the evening. I finish up the memory on my phone. Too many selfies, I tell ya.
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