Terezin

Yesterday we took a day trip, and took an hour long bus to Terezin. Terezin is a fortress built in the 18th century, and was later taken over in the 20th century and became a concentration camp. We went through the cemetery, the cells, the execution grounds. Terezin is different than any other concentration camp because it is still a small town. People live and work there. Its weird because every building in the town has seen so much. For example, the town bank used to be the Gestapo Post.

Another interesting thing about Terezin was that when the Red Cross wanted to investigate concentration camps, Terezin was changed to look like a beautiful resort where people wanted to be. This is why it took so long for people to learn about what really was happening in concentration camps. Terezin was more of a holding place before people were sent to the East to die in Auswitchz.

Probably the saddest part of our day trip was the Terezin Museum, which displays art of the young children who were held captive in Terezin. The sad part is that out of all the child artists whose art was displayed on the walls, I only saw that two of the hundreds had survived.

Terezin was difficult to visit, but I glad I went. It reminded me of what had happened in this area of Europe decades ago. Also, it reminded me to be thankful daily for freedom, democracy, and human rights, and to help those who still lack those gifts.

Pictures: The first photo was taken on the execution grounds. The grounds were a small hallway with slits in the walls so the nazis would just stick there guns in and shoot. On the wall, someone had craved in the word "Rage". The second photos is of the cells. It shows the beds that hundreds were crammed into, and also how people were know by a number, instead of by name.