Jason's Daily Notes

Ulrike woke up early, and went out to get bread, take out the trash, etc. Nico and I woke up around 10:30. Nico left.

The plan for today was to visit Dachau. Ulrike and I had a weißwurst breakfast (she had to ask her flatmate if it was ok for us to use her sweet mustard - what a picky, anal roommate to have!). We then set off, buying a 2-person Bayern ticket for the day. Took the U3 to Marienplatz, then waited for a bit for the S-Bahn, which took us all the way to Dachau.

We decided to walk from the train station to the concentration camp memorial site. Somehow we got off track and missed the official route (with signs, etc.). But we found our way again. The weather was chilly, cloudy but dry. Before we knew it, we were at the memorial. We decided to get audio guides, which was a good idea. But we only had 2 hours to see the monument, so we got to it.

Walking around the concentration camp was powerful, as you could imagine. The weight of so many lives destroyed. It is really an experience. You can read about the history in great detail, but actually standing on the ground where it actually happened is a truly moving experience.

It was nearly 5pm, closing time, and we had not seen all of the park yet. Ulrike became anxious that we wouldn't return the audio guides in time and that they would confiscate her ID. I assured her not to worry. Nevertheless, we rushed through the gas chamber and incineration room.

We had to wait 15 minutes for the bus back to the station. There were a group of Americans sitting at the back. Ulrike and I went to the kebab shop near the station, where we each had a dürüm.

Returned home. Along the way, a couple sitting next to us was caught for riding without a valid ticket. We had a quiet night, staying home. I searched a bit for a flat in Düsseldorf and wrote a thank-you note, then finished the weißwurst and had some more chili before going to bed an hour after Ulrike, who had to be up early for work.