2024 Galloway WWII Resistance Program

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Blog 5

The day began with thick fog outside our windows, which thankfully burned off by mid-morning. It was another day full of learning opportunities…we started off with a guided walking tour of Krakow’s Jewish district, Kazimierz. Among other things we saw Poland’s largest synagogue, several memorials including a modern one of empty chairs in the main square of the former ghetto, and had a peak into the Jewish cemetery. The local guide Joanna shared stories of life then and now….

After lunch, we toured Schindler’s Factory where the in-house guides told us about life in Krakow before,  during and after the Second World War, as well, of course, as the heroic actions of Oskar Schindler himself, which saved the lives of more than two thousand Jews.
A final few hours of free time in this fascinating and beautiful city…some of the group explored the area around Wawel Castle, others went to the exhibition of Banksy’s street art.
Finally, a farewell dinner in the fancy surroundings of Padre restaurant before our last tram ride back to the hotel to pack for tomorrow’s flight back to Atlanta.

Blog 4

This morning we drove an hour and a half from Krakow to visit one of the largest, most horrific of the hundreds of concentration and extermination camps the Nazis created all over Europe, namely Auschwitz 1 and 2 (also known as Birknenau).

Nothing can fully prepare you for the sights and stories that our excellent local guide showed us during the three and half hours we were led around the camps, where more than a million people, the vast majority of them Jewish, were systematically murdered between 1942 and 1945, before the camp was liberated by the Soviets.
Impossible to put into words the extent to which humanity was shattered as evil took over. We saw several moving memorials to some of the victims and learned about the brutal conditions and punishments they were forced to suffer.   Truly food for thought in these days.  ‘Never again’.
Once back in Krakow, we had a couple of hours free time for some serious ‘retail therapy’ in and around the huge and gorgeous central square, before dinner and a relatively early night

Blog 3

Another civilised start today….we said ‘tot zie’ns’ to Amsterdam and drove two hours through the flat fields of the Netherlands to Eindhoven, where we checked in for our Wizzair flight to Krakow. Lunch was in the departure area after checking in.

A straightforward two hours later, we landed at Krakow’s international airport and were met by our Polish driver and taken straight to our 4 star hotel (the nicest one of the trip in most people’s opinion)
The bus took us right into the centre of the city and after a brief stroll round Europe’s largest medieval square, we sat down to a yummy Polish dinner of dumplings, turkey, mushroom sauce and more in the gorgeous settings of Moskie Oko restaurant (see photos) with traditional musicians serenading us as we ate.

Blog 2

After a more civilised start time today, we jumped on a tram to Anne Frank’s House, where we walked through the exact rooms and up the narrow steep stairs where  she, her family, friends and helpers spent many years in hiding during the second world war, while learning all about her life and observations.  A truly moving visit.

Later our fabulous local guide Larae, originally from El Paso, but an Amsterdamsel for nearly twenty years, led us on a walking tour of the historic city centre, sharing stories of architecture, history, modern life and more.
After a quick break to grab some lunch, we were privileged to attend a private lecture and Q+A session with the remarkable Rudie Cortissos, an 85 year old Amsterdam Jew of distant Portuguese descent, who recounted his memories of surviving the Holocaust in Amsterdam as a small child by being hidden in various places around the city for three and a half years, as well as his lifetime of telling his story around the world and fighting for an end to discrimination in all its forms.  Several students asked excellent questions afterwards, which he was happy to answer. A group photo rounded off the visit.
Finally, a canal cruise, the classic way to see this fascinating and beautiful city, before a dinner of burgers and the like.
What a day…memories to savour, lessons to take home and share..

Blog 1

Written by Richard P.

Today was mostly a day of travel.

After a very early breakfast in Paris…we were on the bus taking us to the station by 7.20am
There was time at the station to buy lunch supplies for the journey and then board the Eurostar train that took us through Belgium to Amsterdam in just under three and a half hours. Maximum speed was about 130mph. Many of the group took advantage of the gentle rocking of the train to catch up on some zzzzz’s after a late night and an early start.
Upon arrival at Amsterdam’s Central Station, we loaded our bags onto a Dutch bus which took us to the small but perfectly formed Resistance Museum, which tells the story of Amsterdam before and during the Second World War, when the Nazis invaded and annexed the whole country, sending more than 100,000 Dutch Jews and others to concentration camps.  The museum has excellent audio guides for self-guided tours of it’s documents, items and more that tell individual and collective stories of resistance, heroism and survival against the odds.  A very moving visit which has given a perfect context for tomorrow‘s activities.
Before heading to the hotel to do a quick check in, we strolled to see the newish (2021) National Holocaust Memorial, a striking monument in brick and metal..each brick bearing the name, date of birth and age at death of the 102, 000 known victims of the Nazi reign of terror.  There is space for any as yet unknown victims that future research might discover.
After checking in, we braved the downpour to jump on the tram that runs from outside the hotel into the city centre and sat down to a yummy Asian-fusion included dinner.
Much needed early night for everyone tonight
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