I knew this trip was going to be tiring, but I didn’t realise how much my aging body would agree with me. Sucks being old, y’know?

Anyway, we’re in Prague now, after a night’s stay in Dresden. Just to get everyone up to speed, we’ve visited the Dachau Concentration Camp, the BMW Museum, the Nuremberg Documentation Centre, and did a walking tour of Dresden. All in all, we’ve had a pretty damn good time.

Being someone who has no personal experience with any of the World Wars (or any war for that matter, thank God!) I honestly didn’t think I’d be affected by the visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp. But right after walking through the gates and looking at that cold, barren courtyard, I was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with grief. Overwhelmed with sympathy. Overwhelmed with inner cries of injustice. I simply could not fathom how mankind was able to allow such atrocity to happen. Were people that consumed by hatred? Hatred that, from all angles, didn’t seem justifiable at all?

After experiencing something as chilling as the Concentration Camp, we were brought to the BMW museum where we learnt about the history of BMW and saw many proud moments being exhibited in the museum. The students had a lot of fun roaming around the clinical-looking museum and ogling the cars on display. I personally think they were just happy to get away from us and do something non-WWII related.

Day 3. We headed to Nuremberg and Dresden after we left Munich. Nuremberg was a great learning experience for us all as we visited the Nuremberg Documentation Centre, saw the site of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, and learnt more about the Nuremberg trials. At this point, allow me to say that I love my students. I was extremely heartened to see them having as much fun as they did learning about this important piece of history, even though it wasn’t exactly a relaxed day. Travelling from Munich to Dresden via Nuremberg was slightly demanding as we were on the road A LOT. All of us were really impressed with their tenacity and lack of complaints.

Day 4. Today. We finally got a more relaxed (and not to mention, touristy) schedule as we took a walking tour of Dresden (which is super gorgeous by the way!) and found some time to shop at the local mall, before heading to Prague, but also not without stopping at another local mall (this time, in Prague) before dinner. So yes, that meant a whole lot of retail therapy for all of us. :p Me? I’m most happy that I’m back in Prague. Gorgeous, gorgeous, Prague. Can’t wait to go on the walking tour tomorrow.

So that’s it for me for now. We’ll be heading out to Berlin tomorrow afternoon and I’m praying that we’ll continue to have perfect weather and the students will continue to be wonderful. Will post again soon!