Thursday, August 18, 2010 Warsaw to Crakow

As I write this we are travelling away from Auschwitz towards dinner and our hotel in Crackow. It has been a long and busy day – filled with scenes that can never been forgotten, and a level of faith in a painting that is difficult for some to explain or understand.Our morning started early with checkout from our hotel in Warsaw, then we were off to our first stop at Czestochowa and to the Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora that houses the painting of the Black Madonna. We were shown around the monastery by a Monk who explained the history and degree to which the painting the Black Madonna is held by this group of faithful. During our stay we saw the treasury with its displays of rosaries, carvings and artistic sacred cloths and garments. The needlework was really appreciated by the sewers in the group. Just before we left we watched the dramatic unveiling of the painting – decorated in one of its twelve dresses.

From here we proceeded to Auschwitz – arriving just before 4 PM. We had an excellent guide who took us around Auschwitz I and II Birkenau. She described the living and dying conditions of the prisoners in the camps, and we were able to view the facilities which have been preserved to remind the world what hatred and greed can accomplish in the dehumanization of others. Some of the pictures and displays were extremely graphic, including the ‘collection’ of shoes, suitcases and even human hair. I doubt that any of us will ever forget this experience.

It was a very tired group that completed the tour and headed to our hotel to drop off our bags, then proceed to a late dinner. We all enjoyed a treat of wine and other drinks courtesy of Rostad Tours. We then proceed to our rooms, to sleep, to prepare for more adventures on a much lighter vein tomorrow.