The Children of Auschwitz-Birkenau

The most gut-wrenching experience at the concentration camps was an exhibit dedicated to the children. In an empty white room, artists recreated sketches that were found all over the camps, usually hidden, and all done by children. The only thing these pictures have in common is that all the children who made them were killed. Most of the children didn't fully understand what was going on; this was the world through their eyes…

Auschwitz - Birkenau

During our time in Cracow, we took a day-trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. They are actually two separate camps officially called Auschwitz I and II. There were plans to build a third, but it never happened. Birkenau is a much larger camp. Since most people are well aware of the events that happened here, I have decided to use my photos to share the stories of the few who survived and the many who perished. 

Arbeit Macht Frei

Budapest, Hungary

Our train ride from Bratislava to Budapest went by without incident, graciously allowing us to take in the wonderful scenery as we steamed along the mighty Danube (ok, not a steam engine, but was still nice) flanked by golden autumn colored trees, small boats dotting the river, and an overall peace and serenity that made me wish the train would just break down for an hour or two. Not today, sadly, but Budapest was waiting for us to indulge in her glory. 

Buda on left, Pest on Right, Danube and Chain Bridge center from Memorial Statue

Bratislava, Slovakia

I should work in advertising...

Following our wonderful excursion in Vienna, it was time for us to slow down a bit. We were about halfway through the trip and the small city of Bratislava was a perfect place to catch our breath and take our time exploring. Only one night was necessary for this not-so-hoppin city, about four hours to actually see the place in its entirety. However as the saying goes, "It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it…"; Bratislava could be summed up this way in that small as it may be, it packs a lot of charm and beauty - and thankfully for us, almost no tourists. 

Being only one hour from Vienna it seemed getting here would be quite easy. Once again, for a Stelly, it proved to be the opposite. It all started back in Vienna when we arrived at the train station and could not find which platform was to be our train. Turns out we were at the wrong station, the correct one being on the other side of town. So after getting to that station via a streetcar not named Desire, we were stuck again not knowing how to find the platforms since this station was under construction and trying to find the platforms was comparable to looking for the "Goblet of Fire." 

Vienna the Magnificent

Ahhh, Vienna - city of musicians, lavish capital of the Hapsburg Empire, the city of dreams (Sigmund Freud was from here)- no wonder it is regarded as one of the most livable cities in the world. From the large palaces and museums to the abundance of bars, clubs, and cafes, the Viennese enjoy a plentiful life of diversity and culture that emulates in my opinion the very best mankind has to offer. 

Our adventure began as we boarded one of the old trolleys that notoriously winds its way through Vienna's narrow streets. About half the cars are new and low to the street, while the rest still date from the days of the Cold War and are a bit more difficult to get onto yet still enjoyable to ride. It was mid-afternoon by time we managed to drop off the bags at the hotel - a quaint hundred year old reasonbly-priced establishment - and head southwest to the royal family's grand summer residence, the Schönbrunn Palace. A massive complex of grounds and gardens surrounding a central palace of more than 1,400 rooms, it is the only palace in Europe that comes close to rivaling Versailles. Clear skies and warm sunlight only enhanced our excitement to explore and play among the scores of locals and tourists alike.