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This was the third time that I had been to Buchenwald. The general atmosphere of the group was noticeably less emotional. What I mean by that is that I sensed very little reaction as the
group boarded the bus to go back to the youth hostel. Of all my
three visits with a group, I was surprised at the quickness of
the switching of moods. This visit was less momentous for me for this reason.
But again, this may be me having some expectations as to how long and to what
degree such a visit will impact a person.
The
comment of how the temperature seemed appropriate really did not sit well
with me at all. I had a very subtle adverse reaction to that. I say subtle
because I didn't verbalize at the time my very inner gut reaction to that
statement--just nodded in agreement as it was said by at least a few different
people. Why appropriate--because it helps us get into the mood?
But before
entering the concentration camp, I was very impresssed with the group and
their knowledge of the situation. I definitely believe that much background
is needed before making such a visit. The visitor is able to know better
what sort of things went on at the camps and why.
This time around I thought back to a very powerful autobiography I had read about a Dutch woman's experience at a concentration camp, where just women were taken. The camp was Ravenbrück, and she was captured because she aided in the hiding of Jews in her home in Holland.
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