Dachau Concentration Camp
This was on our itinerary at the beginning of the trip, but we ran out of time and rescheduled it to the back end. Alot of changes since I last came here in 1987. The entrance now follows a 1/4 mile of the long walk the prisoners took from the train station to here (several miles). A new display with lots of information and pictures is now housed within the main building and a few more memorials went up.
The displays were very informative because I learned this time around that Dachau was the FIRST concentration camp built by the Nazis, and became the model and training ground for others to follow. Also, this camp had many sub-camps that reported to it from many miles away. Thus, the prisoners would come here first, then were sent elsewhere depending on their status and physical abilities. The main purpose of this and most of the concentration camps was to make armaments for the war using slave labor. Select camps such as Aushwitz had the main purpose of extermination. Still all camps saw large numbers of prisoners die from starvation or abuse. Definitely a must-see site to appreciate the horrors of Nazi regime and what our human species is capable of doing in its most evil state.Gates to Hell
The ominous greeting, "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work is Freedom) at all Nazi Concentration Camps...
They have done a great job updating the museum. A lot of European school kids were there when we were. If only more US kids had these opportunities, I think it would make their learning experience more meaningful.
Prep & Car drop off
Found a self-service car wash and washed the grime and bugs off the car. Then we dropped it off at the designated logistics company, and the employee took off the front license plate as our souvenir. We said bye to the car (for the two-month ocean shipment via Panama Canal) and took a taxi to the airport.
Car Mileage: 5566 miles @ Munich, Germany
Flying back home
We arrive early, but there are only single seats left. So, Locke and I are left to sit by ourselves in the middle-seats...not a comfortable option for a 12-hour flight. Ugh! Speaking of flying, be prepared to go through security TWICE before you get to your plane. Also, Lufthansa gets demerits for having seats that have very little legroom to spare.
-- Al & Locke
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