MUNICH

 Munich 

September 2, 2021



We're on day 3 in Germany, each one sparkling, azure-sky-beautiful and no warmer than 70 degrees. Our hotel is clean and bright and generous with special touches. We've totally enjoyed wandering old town Munich.  We've eaten various local wursts and other traditional fare, tasted the local Weissbier (Tim) and Radlers (Tim again!) and visited a popular bakery for amazing flourless chocolate torte (Cyd) and their colorful, delicious macarons. We found perfect seating for the early evening chiming of the Rathus glockenspiel by sitting at a sidewalk cafe in the square. We couldn't have asked for a more lovely start to this sabbatical time.

 

Today, however, has been an intense and sobering day. We spent hours in Dachau, revisiting the concentration camp for the first time since we were both 20 years old. We invested in a guided tour this time, which turned out to be a good choice. Our guide was a brilliant historian and kept our small group engaged the entire time. We choked up again and again as we walked through the grounds and buildings from the perspective of the "untermensch" (inferior ones). Our guide was interested to learn as much as we could remember about Norbert's experience as part of the 1945 liberating force with the 42nd Rainbow Division. We told the guide how often he would just shake his head, tear up, and lose words when he was asked about those days. After this day, we understand better the smell of death, and raw human suffering he must have encountered. We also understand more of Norbert's emotional struggle with memories and passionate assertion of truth in the face of holocaust denial groups he debated in Omaha. "Never again," and "Honor the dead, tell the living" are Dachau's driving messages.

 

PAX CHRISTI



Comments

  1. Kevin ColeSeptember 8, 2021 at 8:23 PM

    Fascinating experiences, and compelling observations. I hope you post more here soon! Love, K&D

    ReplyDelete

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