Day of contrasts and perspective...

Yesterday was a very memorable day of our Germany trip. First off, it was the first time we were given the option to do our own laundry. For those of us who didn't want to do laundry, we slept in a little longer to brace ourself for the long day ahead. After meeting in the hostel lobby around 10:15, we departed for Dachau slightly behind schedule. Everything worked out for the better, though, because the former concentration camp was less crowded. We participated in a relatively new interactive tour designed for a large group of students. We congregated in small shed inside the camp, where our tour guide began by laying out photos taken of the camp during World War II. In groups of two, we picked a photo and shared to the rest of our Academy class why we picked it. The next activity involved us placing events from the 1930s and 1940s in chronological order. Following that we took a tour throughout the camp. While we had learned about many of the things we saw and heard, there was an eerie feeling that came along with the massive yet abandoned camp. The barracks were torn down, but the space they used to occupy was marked and filled with gravel. The watchtowers were reconstructed and some things were renovated, but other things, such as the gas chamber and crematorium, were mostly intact. Following Dachau, we traveled to the well-known Hofbrauhaus for dinner. People from around the world had journeyed here for the traditional German experience. A couple performers entertained us with German dancing and music while we ate delicious food and drank (pop/juice) out of massive 1-liter mugs. On our walk back to the tram, half of our adventurous Academy class sprinted through a fountain in the city of Munich. In retrospect, that was not the brightest idea. We came out of it soaked and freezing, but with a handful of memories. Exhausted, we returned to the hostel to rest for an early trip the next morning. - Rohan

memorial at Dachau

German band at dinner

The fountain sprinters

The highlights of yesterday were going to Dachau and seeing the Hofbräuhaus. As Frau told us that morning, it was strange going to a place as sad as Dachau and as much fun as the Hofbräuhaus in one day. Upon arriving at the concentration camp, we were stunned by how large it was. Our tour lasted for 3.5 hours, and was very informative. It was focused on the history surrounding the Holocaust. Visiting the barracks, seeing the fences and guard towers, and walking through the SS bunker was a solemn process, but we were deeply saddened as we passed through the gas chambers and saw the crematorium. We were all quiet for a long while afterwards, but we all agreed the experience was enriching and touching. After two hours of free time in Munich, we were in a better mood and were ready for a great dinner. The Hofbräuhaus was festive, crowded, and loud. Between the cheering and the band/performers, the atmosphere was great. The German food was outstanding, and the most impressive sight of the night was when our waiter brought 15liters of soda at once using only his hands. While it is hard to call it "fun" (because of the morning), we had a very good day in Germany. - Tim