How visiting Dachau can change your life

I spent the day at Dachau concentration camp today, and to call it a moving experience would be a great understatement. The camp is now a museum to show the atrocities of genocide.




It is a place that you see the worst behaviors of human kind, and understand that we continue to have the possibility of this in the present and in the future. It is too easy to state that this could not happen again. Instead it takes place today. Over the past 15 years we have had ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, Rawanda, and still today in Darfur. As we did 60 years ago, the majority of our population turns our back on this until we can no longer deny and save face without contributing to ending the atrocity.





The practice of indoctrinating young impressionable youth that do not have other opportunities was put into place by the National Socialist party (Nazi). They did this better then most and trained the elite at Dachau to stip the prisoners of their identities, possessions and their dignity. Fortunately dignity is not something others can control. Many prisoners showed the utmost dignity for their fellow prisoners. Many gave their lives for others. The SS gourds were trained at Dachau and then sent off to open up additional camps. This was the main teaching place for the extermination of over 6,000,000 jews and another 1,500,000 non Jews. (Including over 150,000 gays, but I will get to that later) Today this practice takes place by terrorists, gangs, Somalian pirates and many others. Were there are oppressed despaarte folks, there will be others who will look to take advantage of them for the wrong reasons.





To understand the scope of the camp there were 250,000 prisoners that came through Dachau. 45,000 were killed at Dachau and burned at the crematorium. Most of the rest were sent on to other camps and killed there. Only about 4% survived. This included the 14,000 prisoners liberated in 1945 by US troops. Unfortunatly, even after liberation another 3,000 died due to malnourishment and disease within the first 6 weeks of being free again.





To see the gas chambers, the torcher rooms, the barracks and the crematorium is devastating. The barracks were designed for 200 prisoners each. By 1944 there were over 2000 people in each barrack. During the last few months Germany ran out of coal. This was needed to fire the crematoriums. When the US liberated the camp there was a pile of human bodies as high as the building. The building is about 20 feet high. In addition there was a train car fuill of dead prisoners as well. This constituted 4000 bodies, dead but not cremated that the US found. This was one of the first camps liberated and uncovered the extent of the atrocities of the Nazi party.





Right before I left I unfortunately experienced something that has me truly rageful and despondent on human nature. In 1968 there was a three part monument erected to promote tolerance. One of the pieces is an abstract of all the different badges that the prisoners had to wear. The artist included all badges. The Board of Directors, comprised of former prisoners, German officials and camp preservationists, instructed the artist to remove the pink triangles and the black triangles as homosexuals and criminals should not be represented. So, the people who should promoting tolerance discriminated against gays and criminals. A big "GO TO HELL" from me to them on this one. It just goes to show how much work is still left to be done.





There are a few pictures from this trip. The most important is the sign built into the front gate that states that "Work will set you free" This was obviously not the case here at Dachau. It is now my hope that the continued efforts by those who work at this camp, and those who visit this camp, will work to ensure that this type of atrocity will not take place in the future, and that this work will set us free from genocide.

More pictures:

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=610782002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Salzburg

The Hills are Alive!!!

I went to the home of Mozart and the Sound of Music---Salzburg Austria. It was a rainy day, but Salzburg still proved to be a beatiful place and an artists dream. Salburg's favorite son, Mozart rules the city. I saw his birthplace where they have a nice museum on him and his family. I also went to his home later in life after he had made some money. He was a crazy man, one with God given mastery. It was so nice to see so many people interested in him. I took the train from Munich listening to his piano quartets (Thanks Joe!!!) on my iPod. Great train and great music.

There are a few pictures from the abbey where Maria came from (true story) and pictures of the house they used in the movie(Not their real house). I even sang the music at the top of my lungs with a few folks that had been imbibing a little too much on the local necture.

My favorite part of the trip was climbing to the top of the Hohensalzburg Fortress. This fortress was constructed in the 1100's and improved over time until the start of WWI. It was quite a hike up, but well worth it. I have not run in a few days so it was good to get the workout. The view of Salzburg from there is amazing. A very old town with great buildings nestled right in the Alps. I could still see snow covered mountains in the distance.

Due to the rain I headed back into Munich an hour early and enjoyed a great Goulash dinner with Spatzel.

Most of my pictures may need explanations, but alas, it's dinner time, so that will have to wait.

The link:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=607447002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

General Observations about Europe and US

A few random thoughts:

Dear Europe:

• We invented something about 60 years ago, it's called an ice machine, you should invest in one. I'm not sure why it takes an Act of God to get ice in a drink.
• You could increase productivity by 25% by learning how to jaywalk. It's really not a sign of disrespect, it's a sign that you are busy and have things to do.
• People in Germany drink way too much beer. Maybe that is why everyone smokes here.
• Britain did not understand that everyone should have voted for Susan Boyle. She does have talent, but the british don't have a clue if they voted her second.

Dear America:

• The fruits and vegetables in Europe kick ass. They are tasty and real. The US needs to stop putting hormones in our food and get back to basics.
• Fix the train system. The train system in Europe rocks. It is reliable, comfortable, quick and reasonable. It beats airplain travel any day of the week.
• No matter what we do, we will never be able to match the history and beauty of the 1500-1700 architecture in Europe.

Greetings from Munich

Arrived here last night. I took the train into the city saving myself about $60. Hotel is right by the traiin station.

Nothing will make you feel more like a long trek traveler than haiving to do laundry on your trip. I went down the street this morning and just did my own wash. The hotel was going to charge 50 Euro, I did it myself for 5 euro.

I'm off site-seeing this afternoon. I'll bring the camera and post pictures later. Munich is a huge city, I'll have to see what I run into......

By the way two things...John and my anniverary yesterday (16 years) and Jim Zagres birthday today (I think he's 62, just kidding.) Happy birthday Jim, and John I can't wait to celebrate next Thursday night.

Berlin Follies

I have spent a very education couple of days in Berlin. I learned a lot about Germany, how it was unified, what lead to WWI and WWII and post WWII life in Berlin. This city has an amazing history.

Most of the city is new, as an overwelming amount of building were lost in the battle of Berlin. The architecture over the past 50 years has been relatively drab. I expected this in East Berlin, but really both sides were not too different in architecture. The older buildings that survived are amazing. The Nazi army had also build a few remarkable buildings, but these were all destroyed by bombings, or were taken down by the Soviets after the war.

Some fantastice pictures from last night of a beautiful rainbow over Brandenburg Gate. Also went to the Reichstag (the German Parliament) as well as the Monument to the 6,000,000 Jews and the monument for the Gay persecution by the Nazi's. Both monuments were very thought provoking.

Today I went on a 4.5 hour walking tour. We hit all the main sites to see, lead by a very knowledgable Chicago native who has now lived in Berlin for 5 years.

I'm kind of tired, so I may write more later.

The pics:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=579291002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Mussels in Brussels

With all due respect to Jean-Claude VanDamme...

Spent a great day in Brussels. Who knew what an amazing city this was/is? Checked in early at a great hotel; Manos Premier. Upgraded me to a suite with its own private balcony. This must be a 5 star hotel. The only downside is that it is a brisk 20 minute walk to get downtown. But there are many sites along the way.

First stop was the church (Notre-Dame). Church was started 600 years ago, but finshed 300 years ago. We think we have it bad for the Big Dig, try 300 years of construction.

Next stop was Grand Place. One of those places that stop you dead in your tracks. It a a wonderful old square built 500 years ago, and rebuilt after the french destroyed it in the 1700's.

Next, I had my obligatory Mussels in Brussels. Moulet Freites (Muscles and Fries) is the best known dish here in Brussels. It was great. I snapped a picture of the next set of victims. After lunch I made my way to the St. Hubert Shopping gallery. Very high end expensinve stuff. Sorry John, I didn't get anything.

Brussels has a fun side to it. There are large billboard size cartoon spread around the city. They just LOVE cartoons. Another quirky item is Manneken-Pis. This is a statue of a boy taking a piss and for some reason, this has become the symbol of Brussels.

Next, I headed back to the hotel, power nap, and then off to the far end of the city. Sorry this part was without camera. I saw the Royal Gardens and Royal Palace, as well as the new Arts theater.

Nice run this Tuesday morning in the rain. Ran to the royal gardens and the royal palace. Map of my run:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Ftrail.motionbased.com%2Ftrail%2Fkml%2Fepisode.kml%3FepisodePkValues%3D8309776&ie=UTF8&z=14




I went out to dinner by the Grand Place, at a place that Jacques recommended. A very good dinner and fun place at La Roue d'Or.Spent a good time at dinner talking with a NYC couple that is returning from 2 months in India. He was very early 20's Johnnie Depp looking. Very easy on the eyes. Damn I missed the camera again.





After dinner (and a double scoop ice cream cone) I went back to Grand Place to see the buildings at night. All the building are lit up, words can not do it justice. Suffice it to say...there were 1000 people laying down in the square looking up at the buildings. So I joined them. Right next to me two guys were making out pretty seriously, and I wanted to note thet BELGIUM was the first country to allow gay marriage. Very gay friendly here. I stopped by a bar called Homo Erectus for a coke. Funny guys at the bar. Nice walk home, and posting before I go to bed.





The pictures I did take:


http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=566223002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

In Bruges

I could not help myself from the Title above. If you have not seen the movie "In Bruges" please rent it now. It is funny, full of action, and the main reason why I decided to spend 2 days in Bruges, Belgium. Bruges is alsoo spelled Brugge and Brugges. Not sure why it gets so many spellings...



This was the capital of the world several centuries ago. Today they specialize in chocolate, lace and beer. I'll stick to the chocolate.



The city is a lot like Venice with canals everywhere. I spent a good deal of time wealking around the city and then took a canal ride. Everwhere you turn is a postcard setting.



Very interesting museum, the Church of the Holy Blood. This has a container that was fought for in the Middle Ages. The container supposedly has two drops of Christ's blood. As many people have died for this chalise, I personally think a DNA test is in order. There is a priest whos job it is is to wipe down and polish the container as each person touches it and says a prayer. He must have to polish it 4000-5000 times a day. That is more polishing than I would do in a lifetime. OK, 300 lifetimes..




Sunday morning I ws the first to climb to the top of the Belfry in the clock tower. My hotel room looks out at the tower, and I was inspired to climb it. Only about 500 stairs. You use the same stair case on the way down as up. The main part of the building is 600 years old. On my way down everyone was asking if this was the only staircase.... Not so bright... So I told them they were allowed to take the elevator on the way down. About 50% of the people thought I was serious. Sarah's flag was placed in the Belfry.

There is a Madonna by Michelangelo here as well. One of his few works that is outside of Italy.




Link to Bruges pictures:

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=551587002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Amsterdam

I woke up early this morning and went for a nice run. This is the first of Sarah's flags. I took this picture and then planted the flag by the windmill.

After my run, Gillbert and I took the train into Amsterdam. This is such an amazing city. It is amazingly liberal, maybe even too liberal???

Spent a great afternoon at my favorite museum, the Van Gogh museum. The musuem does justice to its amazing namesake. Sorry, I forgot my camera on this part of the day, so you will just have to go visit the museum yourself.

Nice dinner at an Italian restaurant across the street from the hotel.

Early to Brugge tomorrow, so I am not staying out late. Not many pictures today but enjoy:

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=548804002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

If you are curious where I ran today, check out this map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Ftrail.motionbased.com%2Ftrail%2Fkml%2Fepisode.kml%3FepisodePkValues%3D8280425&ie=UTF8&ll=52.666701,5.098257&spn=0.006663,0.027466&z=15

A day at the beach and a great Dutch dinner

Jos, Gilbert and I went to Texel today. This is in the North West part of the country. It is a rather small island reached by Ferry. The island is known for sheep and cheese. While I did not try the cheese i spent a good part of the day dodging sheep while I bicycled around the island. After a few morning clouds the day turned fantastic. It was a little chilly, but I my face got burned.

We probably biked about 40K throughout the day. The beach was great, as well as the scenery along the way. Had a great lunch down by the water.

We then went to Alex and Jenneke's for a traditional Dutch dinner. The food was FANTASTIC, all cooked by Jenneke. The dinner is traditioanlly cooked in the winter, so Jenneke had to find some ingrediants that were out of season. Everything was great. I guess I can't give my Dutch frineds as much grief now forr their culoinary skills.

Back at Jos and Gilbert's for the night and off to Amsterdam tomorrow.

Pictures here:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=542858002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Blokker, Hoorn, and Peking Duck

I spent a glorious day with Gilbert today in Blokker and Hoorn. I went for a 2 mile run in the morning past the local windmill. Gilbert and I then rode into Blokker on bicycles. I almost pushed him into a bush as I was re-learning how to handle my bike. The weather was perfect. Gilbert and I spent the day laughing and walking around town.

Some highlights... The Westfries Museum, a nice lunch with a Goat Cheese and Honey sandwich, and a fantastic Peking Duck dinner with Jos and Gilbert. We spent a good amount of time walking by the water. Everything here is so green.

I have missed Holland over the past 5 years.

See the pictures here:

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=537441002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Day 1 - a great departure

Upgraded to 1st Class. What an amazing plane. I had my own cubicle, large flat screen TV, choice of 30 movies, 50 TV shows, music, documentories... My recliner chair tuens into a totally flat bed with the push of a button. Oh, and why does it seem that I get free drinlks offerred to me all the time since I don't drink!!!!

The food was fantastic. Duck and Crab appetizer, Mahi Mahi dinner and ice cream sundae (caramel topping, whip cream and nuts).

Finishing my movie and about to recline the seat to my totally flat bed. See my pictures here.

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=535015002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/
The older gentleman named George gave me a ride to the airport. Last picture is of Gilbert, who met me at the airport.

Couldn't sleep so I thought I would write a bit more. I was thinking, what is this all about. Why take 2 months off and travel around the world. Yes, part of it is trying to find myself, part of it is trying to lose myself. I think the biggest part is to try and find some new direction in my life. I need to clear my head, have some fun, and get insprired. Work is so unins[iring for me at the moment. It is too bad, because thhey treat me very well.

Tomorrow I get to run in Holland. At least I won't have to deal with hills.

I had so much fun last weekend, surrounded by friends and family. I was very much in the moment. That is something I need to try and stay with for the next 7 weeks.

So my 1st stop is the only place I have been to before. A few days with 2 of my best friends Jos and Gilbert, to get my head on straight. Well, not straight, but you know what I mean. I am also having a traditional Dutch meal on Thursday at another set of friend's house, Alex and Janneka. Friday I head into Amsterdam for a day at the Van Gogh museum, a meeting, and then a fun club.

Time to try and sleep again.

A Fantastic Birthday Party

It was just a wonderful party last night. 30 of my closest friends and family. John did a wonderful job arranging everything, and Jennifer, Andrea, my Mother, Jos, Gilbert, Bruce and many others pitched in. I was surprised by the tent that John rented for the party, but thank God he did. It kept the lite ,mist away from us, and we embraced the somewhat chilly May night.





The food was great with a theme of food from the different countries that I will be traveling to. Mark did a great job, along with Mom and her meatballs. Jen and Andrea did a great salad and the appetizers.





I'd like to say a special thanks to Mom and Dad for venturing down to Hamden. It was very special to be able to celebrate this day with them. My long lost cousin Dierdre added a lot of spice to the party, as my Dad began reminiscing about his MedSchool days.

Sarah Thomas brought me a great gift along with a great idea. She hand painted all 11 flags for the countries I am visiting. The flags were in great display. I have the flags now packed and I will take a picture of each flag in its country of origin. I will leave the flag in its respective country. This will be known as the Sarah Flag Project!!!

There were so many great friends at the party. I love my friends, and cherish the positive impact they have in my life. Most of them are crazy though!!!





Take a look at the pictures from this link;





http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=518590002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/





2 days to go. I'm beyond excited and have a lot to do. I'll try to post one more before I leave.

10 Days and counting

I am down to 10 days before my trip and I am fully packed and pretty ready to go. John is home now for the past 4 days and starting to recover from his surgery.

Before the trip I have a pretty big birthday party next Saturday. Mom and Dad have decided to come, so I'm pretty excited for the weekend.

I am amazed that I only have one week left of work. It has been so nice to start to turn the work brain off. I'm getting a bit concerned that I do not want to turn it back on. Lets see how I feel on July 4th.

I get excited for so many of the destinations throughout the day. Today I'm really excited for Italy and Rome in particular. Anyone been to Rome and want to make suggestions????