A sombre day

I went to Auschwitz today.

You've heard it all before, seen it all before, nothing I will describe here about the experience will be very new to you.

Nevertheless, its necessary to state how powerful the experience is, despite knowing beforehand it would be powerful. How can a human ever fathom how such calculated cruelty could be performed by so many humans to other humans? It boggles the mind.

One of the unexpected themes of these travels for me has been human cruelty justified by political or religious rhetoric. I didn't realise when I set out that I would come across so many instances of insanely violent and coldly calculated genocide and repression. I knew I would find it in Russia, but I have found it in Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Bosnia. In each country I have managed to have fun in bars and cafes, but have also explored the historical remnants of a history too obscenely bloody to comprehend. The juxtaposition of lively town squares and beautiful vistas with images of corpses in concentration camps and smoking ruins is startling, and leaves me silent for hours. Auschwitz did that to me.

The day was beautiful: sunny, bright skied, delightful breeze. I'm wandering around a field surrounded by autumnal trees and brilliant green grass. Yet on this very soil 50 years ago, untold agonies were felt. Its a sobering experience - I don't know whether to revel in the beauty of today, or cry for the pain of yesterday.

This is my theory: as a human today, it is our duty to try to understand as much of our global history as possible, to visit these places, ask questions of the locals, read what material you can. By this attempt, we are both offering our metaphoric shoulders for the long-past dead to weep on, and ensuring we teach our children what is necessary so this never happens again. But more so, we need to absorb all this, have a moment to feel sorrow, and then smile. It is our duty to lift our chins high, and vow we will not be broken as humans, and to go out and celebrate life. So many millions have died and suffered because of who they were and a belief that humans should live freely and with abundance in a beautiful world. I firmly believe it is our duty to make their sacrifices worthwhile, by proudly being who we are, and to live with joy and beauty. And as a laugh merrily, or buy pretty clothes, or plan my next holiday, I will silently give thanks that I am so unbelievably blessed that I can do these things without persecution or concern. I will take advantage of every opportunity I can, because I can, and that is a rare and treasured thing. I will aim for as much as I can out of life, because for now, it is delivering, and its worthwhile that someone can enjoy that.

I will live so that their sacrifices were worthwhile. That is my theory for life based on what I have learnt about the suffering of those before me.