Day 6 was a weird day. It started off very solemn and sad as we visited the concentration camp, Breendonk but then ended super happy and fun when we finished our day elsewhere. We went to pay our respects to Breendonk and its thousands of victims
I’m very blessed to have traveled all over the world. I’ve been traveling since I was a small child and have seen a multitude of really cool, really historic things. However, if I’m ever asked what my favorite place is that I’ve ever visited, I always say it’s when I have been to concentration camps.
My dad did an excellent job while we were growing up to exposing us to things related to World War II. We went to Pearl Harbor, Normandy Beach, Eagle’s Nest, and to several concentration camps. I’m blessed to still have a grandfather that’s alive that served during this awful time. I’m a really big believer in remembering the past…no matter how horrific it was.
I don’t normally walk around concentration camps smiling but Andrew said my sad face wasn’t pretty. So here I am, bright and early, about to enter Breendonk. The last concentration camp I visited was two years ago when we took the kids to Mauthausen.
The weirdest part about the whole experience is that Andrew and I toured the entire concentration camp alone. All by ourselves. Walking the halls. It was really disturbing if I’m being honest. Andrew even said it freaked him out. We were the only ones there when it opened other than a school group (pictured above) but they were detained for a lecture at the gate. So, we just walked the entire complex by ourselves.
Some of the faces who lost their lives in that very room.
The actual beds prisoners slept on.
Walking the same halls that Nazis walked.
Andrew standing in a cell. The bench would be removed during the day and the prisoner would have to stand all day…they couldn’t sit or lean against the wall. They had to stand at attention all day long.
A torture chamber. The Nazis would bring people in one at a time, strip them completely naked and then torture them. See the hook hanging from the ceiling? How would you like to be tortured using that? They didn’t just torture men…they tortured women too.
This is where they would stand before the firing squad. Hundreds of people were shot right there.
This is where they were hung. All for being a Jew.
The names on the wall are of every person who lost their life at Breendonk. The urns in the middle carry their ashes.
Andrew and I smiling because we are so blessed to live in a free country. A country where we don’t have to hide our faith. It’s so hard to stand in a place where you know people died. But we can’t forget the past.
We finished off our fabulous day in Antwerp, Belgium. We had the best time in Belgium…loved it! But tomorrow…we head back to the Netherlands…
Click here for Day 7.
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Wow. That had to be crazy being there alone. That last picture of the two of you is my favorite so far!
kj7 says
Thanks for sharing these pictures. I've always been curious about the Holocost and have studied it over the years. I hope that one day I'll have the opportunity to see it for myself. Glad you guys had a great trip. Aren't we blessed to be able to worship freely and live freely!? May God bless you and your sweet family today and always.
Kathryn
Rikki says
It has to be overwhelming to actually see these places. I, too, love history but I think the times during WWII are both the saddest and bravest of them all. As a nation we sent our best, and our best gave their all. God bless all of the men and women who braved this era, and God bless you and Andrew for making it part of your trip, no matter the content of the day, and passing it on to us. As we here in America are fond of saying, "We will never forget". Thank you Shay.
Angela says
Shay thanks for sharing your experiences! Those pictures left me with goosebumps and tears in my eyes … Its sad to think how many people take for granted the fact that we live in a free country. Thanks for allowing us to remember…
Aubrey says
Woah. That place looks a lot more…interactive…than some of the other camps I've visited. Perhaps because it's so small, but it definitely appears that you are closer to the horror. You are so brave, my friend, to look that evil in the eye.
Shannon says
wow… I'm so glad you posted this. it's so horrific- and such a reminder to how lucky we are. Thank you for sharing.
Jodi says
I'm loving reading about your trip since I have never been to any of these cities. I have traveled all over Europe but never spent any time in Germany. I would like to do a WWII trip someday.
MorganizewithMe says
Shay, thanks for sharing your trip with us. We are preparing to move to Portugal, so I look forward to exploring Europe. You inspire me with all of your traveling, since I have never been out of North America!