Where (one of) Dani's worst nightmares is realised. (From June 10)

Had a busy day today, squished both Walwel castle and Auschwitz into one day. We spent a happy, sunny morning exploring one of the most hodgepodge yet beautiful castle grounds I can remember. The main feature (in my mind) was the giant church. Looking like it had had at least three major additions to it, each one in a different style but with gold as a major theme, it was dark and cool inside. Displaying the Poles love of former Pope John Paul II, it was quite an enjoyable morning. We scarfed down a quick lunch and headed out to Auschwitz. 

After an hour and a half bus ride we were there. We all knew it was going to be a hard afternoon so we took our time. Each barrack has been converted into a different museum and there are lots of different tour groups walking through. We started at the gate (arbeit macht frei) and split up. Wandering between the barracks, reading the horrifying events that occurred at the camp, it's hard to stay upbeat. The weather seemed to sense the gravity of our visit and the clouds rolled in. Each walk to the next barrack was darker. Then the tour groups left. It's unusual to go through without a guide (but much cheaper) so there were only a few people left when the wind picked up, the temperature dropped and the thunder started. Walking through a concentration camp alone, with thunder in the background and wind slamming doors and window shutters around is a bit terrifying. I made it most ways around the camp when the torrential rain started. Guess where I ended up?

Ummmm somewhat part Jewish girl stuck  in the (probably) haunted crematorium at Auschwitz? I sacrificed my new chiffon skirt to get the heck outta there as fast as I could. Sometimes it doesn't matter how cute the skirt is, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.