Reflections on Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

On one of our weekend trips, we visited the Sachenhausen Concentration Camp. It was a very interesting trip as we were able to tour around the restored campgrounds. We were able to read about how the Nazi and the Soviet officers treated their prisoners and how life was for prisoners as well.

This trip was very sobering as well. I personally was struck at how people can have so much hatred for others. I understand that wars can be necessary at times and in wars, there are prisoners. What I can’t understand is the underlying hatred that was directed toward these prisoners. They had to endure so much and no shred of humanity was even shown to them. It simply amazes me how someone can have this much hatred towards another that lead them to torturing them this much.

Germany: First Impressions

Coming to Berlin has definitely opened my eyes to many things about Berlin. Berlin as I knew it is a city that is both historical and technologically advanced. However, when I first arrived in the airport I was a bit disappointed. As an international student in Calvin, I am used to travelling great distances and have been to numerous airports, especially airports in Asia and in my opinion, the Tegel airport is a very bad one.

The city itself was, in my opinion, not very impressive. From my perspective, a lot of the infrastructures in Berlin seems very bland and mediocre (save for several historical or very modern buildings). Most buildings are painted with dull colors and it just adds to the mediocrity of city. On top of that there are also no skyscrapers as well.

However, what makes Berlin so interesting is the diversity of people and culture. There are just so many cultures in Berlin itself. I’ve seen numerous Turkish, Asian, and Western restaurants and shops just about everywhere.

Berlin’s public transport system is also something to be impressed about. The level of punctuality and efficiency is just so astonishingly good. The German public transport system puts to shame many other systems.

Sachsenhausen and the Holocaust Museum

The holocaust museum in Berlin was the first actual holocaust museum that I have been to, apart from a few monuments.But this does not mean I have known nothing about it. Throughout my schooling years I have read book after book of stories about people’s stories. Also quite a few of movies who’s soul purpose was to show the atrocities of the war. However standing in the place where it happened is a wholly different level on its own. I walked the Sachsenhausen camp by myself with the audio tour not speaking a word. The place in the camp that was the hardest to come to terms with where the three lumps in the ground that where the three mass graves that where found outside of the crematorium. Over 40,000 people’s ashes had been thrown in those holes. I stood there and stared at it. There was nothing else I could do, silence was the only thing someone could do.

Week One: The adventure begins

I apologize for posting so late, I have had my posts for couple of weeks but never got them out. This is what I wrote a week into the trip:

This first week has been pretty interesting. There are so many similarities between Berlin and the US that it kind of feels normal when walking around the city. (Except the fact that everyone is speaking a language that I only know about 50 words) Also the great and extensive transits system is really nice. It’s kind of weird, back in the states a 30 minute drive to go somewhere is a trek but taking public transit(something I am not used to) takes minimum of 40 minutes to get anywhere. And it never feels that long but after you wait for the first bus then transfer, sometimes a couple of times, it’s usually been an hour even if you have only gone 5 miles. So that has been interesting. Some things that I miss from home are air conditioning, tacos, and water. However I have found some foods hear that I really like. One is the Döner Kabab which is a Turkish like sandwich.

 

The Bright and Beaming City of Bremen

Of all of the cities that I’ve visited here in Germany, none have quite appealed to me like Bremen. I’m not sure whether it was the old-fashioned style of the buildings, the cool notes of history, or the fact that this is the city where I spent my twentieth birthday. Regardless, I have some great memories and stories from Bremen. Continue reading “The Bright and Beaming City of Bremen”

What’s it like in Germany?

Well it’s safe to say that Germany is different from being in the states. One of my favorite differences though, is that they have a great love for bakeries. Back home I would occasionally go to the local bakery of my home town, and it was the only place you could buy fresh breads and doughnuts made the night before. In Germany there are bakeries every where. It’s really nice if your looking for a pastry for breakfast or a sandwich for lunch. It makes me wish they had a few more back in the states.

Another thing I noticed pretty early on was that the people act a bit different. I’m from a pretty small town in Minnesota and I generally will hold door for people and smile at them even if I don’t know them. This is not how Germans do things. At least not in Berlin. I’m not saying they are mean or rude, but they like to mind their own business and expect others to do the same.

Something else that took a bit longer to notice was the amazing transportation system they have in Germany. In most of America we are used to driving almost everywhere ourselves. In Germany there really isn’t a need as long as you have a transport pass. The busses and trains can get you anywhere in the city and they are almost always right in time. It was a very convenient thing to have as a visitor because it wasn’t a problem if I wanted to go anywhere. I could just take a train down to a nearby bakery. Germany is a different place and an amazing experience I’m blessed to have.

What’s it like in Germany?

Well it’s safe to say that Germany is different from being in the states. One of my favorite differences though, is that they have a great love for bakeries. Back home I would occasionally go to the local bakery of my home town, and it was the only place you could buy fresh breads and doughnuts made the night before. In Germany there are bakeries every where. It’s really nice if your looking for a pastry for breakfast or a sandwich for lunch. It makes me wish they had a few more back in the states.

Another thing I noticed pretty early on was that the people act a bit different. I’m from a pretty small town in Minnesota and I generally will hold door for people and smile at them even if I don’t know them. This is not how Germans do things. At least not in Berlin. I’m not saying they are mean or rude, but they like to mind their own business and expect others to do the same.

Something else that took a bit longer to notice was the amazing transportation system they have in Germany. In most of America we are used to driving almost everywhere ourselves. In Germany there really isn’t a need as long as you have a transport pass. The busses and trains can get you anywhere in the city and they are almost always right in time. It was a very convenient thing to have as a visitor because it wasn’t a problem if I wanted to go anywhere. I could just take a train down to a nearby bakery. Germany is a different place and an amazing experience I’m blessed to have.

What’s it like in Germany?

Well it’s safe to say that Germany is different from being in the states. One of my favorite differences though, is that they have a great love for bakeries. Back home I would occasionally go to the local bakery of my home town, and it was the only place you could buy fresh breads and doughnuts made the night before. In Germany there are bakeries every where. It’s really nice if your looking for a pastry for breakfast or a sandwich for lunch. It makes me wish they had a few more back in the states.

Another thing I noticed pretty early on was that the people act a bit different. I’m from a pretty small town in Minnesota and I generally will hold door for people and smile at them even if I don’t know them. This is not how Germans do things. At least not in Berlin. I’m not saying they are mean or rude, but they like to mind their own business and expect others to do the same.

Something else that took a bit longer to notice was the amazing transportation system they have in Germany. In most of America we are used to driving almost everywhere ourselves.  In Germany there really isn’t a need as long as you have a transport pass. The busses and trains can get you anywhere in the city and they are almost always right in time. It was a very convenient thing to have as a visitor because it wasn’t a problem if I wanted to go anywhere. I could just take a train down to a nearby bakery. Germany is a different place and an amazing experience I’m blessed to have.