Berlin, Germany

Berlin was quite the culture shock for all of us! During our time in Barcelona, we were able to navigate pretty well, as most signs were in both English and Spanish. However, Germany was totally different. We had absolutely no idea what the signs were saying - and it didn't help that none of us had any experience with German in high school.

Friday, June 7th

We decided to get an early start today so that we could fit in everything that we wanted to. After eating breakfast at our hostel, we made our way by train and foot to Sachsenhausen - a concentration camp that also doubles as a memorial and museum for those who suffered and died during the Holocaust. We walked around for three or so hours, trying to comprehend the horrific events that had occurred in our exact location less than 80 years ago.

Entrance into the camp.

Roll-Call Area
This semicircular space was where prisoners had to
assemble for roll-call: in the early years three times a
day; later on once in the morning and once in the
evening - often suffering for hours in the cold & rain.

The "Shoe-Testing" Track
The shoe-testing track had a variety of
surfaces and was laid out in 1940.
Prisoners in the punishment squad had
to march round it endlessly, to test the
material for the soles of army boots.

Bathroom
This is where, in the mornings, prisoners
had to wash themselves. At certain times,
up to 400 men would be squeezed into
a barrack like this one. They had only
30 minutes for waking up, rations being
handed out, washing, then on to roll call.
Consequently, 8 to 10 people would
be standing at these two basins with
only cold water springing - like a
fountain - from the middle. The
washrooms were also yet another
site of terror. SS guards are known to
have drowned prisoners in the basins.

Lavatories
Prisoners were only allowed to use the
water closets and urinals in the mornings
and evenings after roll call, occasionally
also during the midday break. Whenever,
they would have only a few minutes.
Sick, weakened or older inmates who
might have fallen down in the rush, were
trampled on by others and remained on
the floor covered in excrements.
Anytime, anywhere - including the
lavatories - the SS staged regular acts
of torment. Prisoners who were unable
to work, had to stand, without moving
a muscle, all day long in this
unaired space.

Rooming Arrangements
This room is completely filled with rows
of bunk beds.

The Prison
Built with prison labor in 1936, the
building and cells were used as a
prison by the Gestapo and the camp
authorities. It was a place veiled in
secrecy, a place of torment and
murder. It held those punished by
the SS for  infringements of
camp discipline as well as
prominent figures arrested
by the Gestapo.

Barracks
This location used to house a barrack in which
prisoners were forced to stay. Sachsenhausen had
a total of 68 barracks. Since only a few barracks
remain today, those which once stood are
marked - as seen above.

Infirmary Barracks
The original barracks of the infirmary date from when
the concentration camp was set up. The exhibition
not only examined the medical crimes committed in
them, such as compulsory sterilization and
castration, the murder of patients and experiments
on humans, it also covered everyday medical
care  in the camp and the prisoners who gave
or received it.

First Crematorium
In 1939, the first crematorium was erected. It was
used for less than three years, as larger facilities
were soon needed.

Memorial of the National Memorial
This central monument symbolizes the
Sachsenhausen National Memorial,
which opened in 1961. The 18 triangles
represent the 18 different nationalities of
those who suffered and died in this camp.

After our visit to Sachsenhausen, we decided to head into downtown Berlin to explore. We were able to spot the Brandenburg Gate, the United States Embassy, and the Berlin Cathedral to name a few. The Berlin Cathedral is absolutely stunning. We decided to tour the inside - and we even had the chance to climb up into the dome where we were able to take in beautiful panoramic views of the city.

After the Berlin Cathedral, we stopped for dinner before settling down for the evening. Our evening consisted of fun and games - and we got to know each other pretty well! :) It was quite the memorable evening...one I'm sure none of us will ever forget!

Saturday, June 8th

Since we only had a couple hours before we had to head back, we decided to make our way to the Berlin Wall. I'm not sure what I thought the wall would look like, but what we ended up seeing was stunning. The artwork on the wall is amazing! Check out some of the photos below: