If the Trees Had Eyes

 Welcome to the Auschwitz II- Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in Oświęcim, Poland. Here, more than 1.2 million people were executed from October 1941 until the camp's liberation in January 1945. While roughly 80% of victims were Jewish, 20% were Sinti, Roma, POWs and other ethnic groups who were deemed equally worthless by the Third Reich. [2] 

The air at Birkenau remains heavy and mourning. If the trees had eyes they would weep forever. Wind rustles slowly through countless lonely buildings, buildings that remember their desperate inhabitants from several decades ago. Millions of innocent and beautiful human beings who lost their souls and ultimately their lives for no reason at all but the fancies of a twisted regime. 

Their spirits will always live here in Birkenau. In many other hearts as well, but especially here. To remind us every second of every day why we need to say Never Again. Why we as people need to see the world how it is, how history has shaped it, and respond to it with mindful behaviors and treatment of others. In relation to religious issues, race issues, gender issues, class issues... all lives matter. Let's demand it so.
 



Photo credit: Isurvived.org
[2] http://chgs.umn.edu/museum/memorials/auschwitz/

Ode to Brussels

Oh Brussels,
Disappointment by lack of shuttles
Found happiness in the form of an available and more affordable bus
So cold, so windy
Not liking this place so far

Sun came out!
Then went away
We're lost
But it's okay because we found Belgian fries in our search for civilization
Still so cold, losing warmth fast
We want to go to Budapest already

But really Brussels,
You have the best Greek food
We had been apart too long
Tapas and crisp iced water abound
Speaking of the water....
It's so FRESH here
Cleanest tap water in the world

Let's top off the meal with your traditional waffles
Hello dark chocolate and speculoos toppings
Have I told you I love you
You're my one and only
Well, two and only

On our way back to the station
Let's not get lost
Almost there, for real this time!
Let's celebrate the fact with Moroccan tea
We're surprised to have found you here mate. Cheers
Hands down the best we've had since Morocco
Maybe including it

Hmm, Brussels you aren't so bad after all...

A Grand Welcome

First and foremost, I appreciate you mysterious reader. You could be anyone but you're obviously someone great simply because you take the time to read other people's thoughts like this. After all, communication is the key to understanding. So let's get to talking...