One of the most sobering, memorable, life-changing experiences of our lives ~ visiting the Dachau memorial site. In this camp, which served as a model for all other concentration camps, over 43,000 prisoners died. The pictures, videos, and just sheer presence -- being there where they were just 65 years ago -- left us all speechless. We walked through the gas chambers - the mass burial sites - the roll call area; no words can describe how it feels to read about the atrocities that humans did to other humans. We talked with our children about the importance of experiencing this, because it helps us commit to always standing up for others, defending right. To never stand by and allow something like to this to happen again.
"Arbeit macht frei" is a German phrase, literally "work makes (one) free," meaning "work sets you free" or "work liberates". The slogan is known for having been placed over the entrances to a number of Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust, including most infamously Auschwitz I, where it was made by prisoners with metalwork skills and erected by order of the Nazis in June 1940.
This amazing statue of broken bodies...
The open gravel area where prisoners had morning roll call ~
"Grave of thousands unknown" - where they put the cremated ashes.
And on a happier note, our visit to "Tristan" - one of the most famous chocolate boutiques in Swizterland... up in the rolling hills of Rolle ~ great yummy sampling too!
Grocery run for breakfast... it's important to sample all the ice-cream flavors ~
Our 3rd trip to Daron's favorite castle: Neuschwanstein in Bavaria! So fun with Kas and Sterl.
Morning of departure... the cute Stewarts came to bring breakfast and play with the kids and help drive us to the airport with our 13 suitcases!
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