A Day of Contrast

Location: Dachau, Germany

So today our guide warned us that today would be a day of contrast in Germany's history.  We had two stops today before heading out to Austria.  Stop 1: Dachau.  A concentration camp that was a self-claimed "work camp" rather than an "extinction camp".  Although they sure resembled each other...

So this was the entrance where trains would drop off Jews and later in the war, homosexuals, immigrants, and anyone who wasn't supporting the Nazi regime.  There is a skeleton of what the barracks used to look like.  Bunk beds are stacked three high and go the width of the room.  The beds had checkered patterned bedding and if any of the patterns were misalinged, it meant severe punishment.  At the height of the war, the barracks that were built to hold 200 now held 2,000 men.

Needless to say the conditions were deplorable and the torture techniques used were even worse.

Many of the men who entered these gates did not leave, many died from work exhaustion, starvation, suicide, torture, or disease.  Another startling reminder of what can happen when there are no checks and balances when it comes to government power.  We visited the main square where roll call took place, the creamatorium that was built on site so the community wouldn't know how many people were dying inside to avoid suspicion, and the row where the living quarters used to be. 

We spent a good three hours here and could have spent a few more.  It wasn't the most positive site we've visited thus far, but it was an important one.

Now remember, we were warned about today being a day of stark contrast.  Our second stop was not originally on the itinerary.  But the guide heard our pleas and made room in the schedule to stop by Munich on our way to Austria.  We got to spend a copule of hours at Oktoberfest, the 200th Anniversary mind you.  We did get some history, for instance, Oktoberfest is not actually associated with the fall harvest.  It actually came about from the wedding celebration of Prince Ludwig to his princess.  The villagers loved it so much that they made it a yearly event.  So basically, Oktoberfest is a annual wedding reception!  This experience was nothing like the Oktoberfest in Washington.  There are 14 "tents" for each type of beer.  They are served in liter cups only.  There are ferris wheels, carnival games, pony rides, and tons and tons of food.

Just to give you some perspective of the celebration: 6 million attend Oktoberfest in Germany, 6.5 million liters of beer is sold and 27,000 liters of wine is sold.  Not to mention the amount of food that is consumed by everyone.  This place was bananas!  Just about everyone is dressed up on traditional German garb, and there are tons of people singing and toasting.

 

 

 

 

Each of the tents is like an individual frat house.  Your colors, flags, and logos are posted on the outside and interior of your "tent" (they are actually huge framed structures).  With our time limit, we were able to visit two tents.  We went to the Lowenbrau and Ochsenbrateri tents.