Munich

Once we returned from Scotland, the next week was spent living in Munich. Munich is the capital of Bavaria and is the richest city in Germany. The central square is Marienplatz where many shopping stores are located. The class that we were taking was German Literature with Dr. Hills from Corban College. Some of our outings during our stay in Munich was to the English Gardens and the Olympic Park. The English Gardens is apparently the largest park inside city limits. It is even larger than Central Park in New York City! We spent some time there walking around and eating German cuisine, some obatzda! We also went to the Olympic Park and saw the stadium that was built for the 72’ Olympics. This particular Olympic year is known for the tragedy of the terrorist group, Black September, taking hostage and murdering the Jewish participants. Andrew, Courtney and I rented a row boat and floated on the small lake/big river they had in the park. On our way back to Regensburg, we visited Dachau which was the first concentration camp that was sustained throughout World War II. I have read many books on the Holocaust and seen many movies, but to actually be there and try to visualize the atrocities which were commit is unfathomable. They had an informative museum which took you through the different years, races, and components of the camp. The most beneficial part of the camp were the pictures that illustrated what the camp looked like when it was filled with prisoners instead of it being vast and void. These pictures contributed to my efforts in imaging life when put through those conditions. When I first think of a concentration camp, I think of a massive amount of Jews and other enemies against the Third Reich. Once I think further, I try to remember that the mass is comprised of individuals who had their own personal lives, families, and feelings.

What I will remember for the rest of my life from this museum is a few sentences one man recorded. When you first enter the camp, the process of dehumanization begins. When this young man was out digging holes, he suddenly noticed nature and the beauty in it. In awe, he halted his work for just a few short seconds but snapped back into reality and immediately panicked that a guard had seen his relapse in his work. Just the fact that this man, through the conditions that he had been through, was able to stop for a few short moments and once again notice the beauty of God’s nature makes me examine my own life and realize how blessed I am. If this man can stop and take a look in a concentration camp, then I should be able to when I am living freely throughout the world. This also shows that the German intent in dehumanizing these prisoners was