Stacey Horn, Bergen-Belsen

Hi everyone! Well, so far we have had a great trip with many experiences to remember. Today we were able to visit the concentration of Bergen-Belsen. This was a unbelievable experience for every member of the choir. It is hard to explain the experience I had while there, but I will try. Starting out on the tour it was not what I had expected to see. Many of the buildings were no longer up, as they were burned to prevent disease after the liberation. So what we saw at first were many ruins of different barracks. We were also able to see the orignal main entrance to the camp. On the other side of the camp we saw many mass burial graves. These were unbelievable. Walking through the camp was difficult. It is hard to believe something like this could happen and being in the place it occured made it an learning experience that you cannot learn from a textbook. We also saw the stone marking the spot where Anne Frank was memorialized, as this is the final camp she lived in. Throughout the outdoor scenary at the camp I felt myself feeling angry and sad at the same time. As I said it was hard to believe something like this could acutally happen. We were no longer reading it in a textbook, but seeing it in real life.

After walking through the remains of the camp we were able to go into a museum. This was full of pictures and survivors talking about their experiences in the camps. This is when the experience really hit home. Seeing the pictures taken on the very spot we had just been actually made my stomach turn. To me this was an experience many people should take part in because it was a very humbling experience. It really hit home on how we should cherish the life we often take for granted. Everyone should also experience this so it will never happen again.

Well, I hope this wasnt to depressing, but it was a very hard but touching experience for me. I look forward to tomorrow when we be heading to Sweden by a ferry, although it is early in the morning. To my family and friends I miss you and love you all!

Take care in the USA everyone, we will see you soon!