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I've visited the concentration camp Buchenwald two times, and next month
will be my third visit. The first time was in the summer of '95 and the
second time was in the spring of '97. I think it's good that I keep visiting
the same one because then I become just more familiar with this one and
keep adding to what I remember from the last visit. I don't know where to
begin with my reaction. I don't know what to say really, but I will try
and I will be honest.
I think I will first describe what I remember of my
latest visit to Buchenwald a year ago--I know that as I am getting older and
becoming more focused as a person, I am left with a better capacity to
react to all the things that are connected with a concentration camp--I think the
more you know about the history or politics of the time, of the country, and
your own personal development only increase the connection you will have with
the camp. It's just impossible to know what it must have been like to have
gone through the persecution. It's so overwhelming for the visitor and many
cry--they feel they have to. I think some of it is fake and I am a cynic, but
who am I to feel this way? I cried, too, but why?
The second visit, I was very cynical. I went there with a group of about 20 Americans, by this time
I knew them all pretty well. One of the group always wore very short
skirts and heels. She didn't to the camp. Everyone looked realy affected at
the camp and many walked around solo, as did I. Not much talking went on, and
as we passed by someone we knew, just solemn looks were exchanged.
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