Uncle Nick's visit and our trip to Krakow

Wednesday we had to say goodbye to my brother, Nick.  He was here since the 26th, and I'm sure more than ready to get back to his life at Iowa, but we were sad to see him leave.  He was able to do quite a bit of traveling himself - Berlin, Copenhagen, Luxembourg and Brugge.  It sounds like he had a great time - especially in Copenhagen over New Year's Eve - although I don't see how anything could be more exciting than ringing in the New Year putting a 22-month-old back into his 'big boy' bed 200 times, while watching t.v. and playing 'free cell' (it's my new addiction).

Last weekend the two of us traveled to Krakow, Poland for a few days.  He'd always wanted to visit Auschwitz - as have I - so the two of us flew there for the weekend, and the boys had a 'guys weekend' back here.  It was so strange being away from the kids - I really haven't been away from them - especially Bo - for over six months now!  Just like old times for Scott though, as he used to have the boys all to himself every third weekend while I worked my 12 hour days.  I was a little worried about Bo - he's become a fierce mama's boy - especially because my friend Mitzie watched them on Friday, so Scott could work.  But unless they're both lying to me, he did quite well, and only cried for me in the mornings, when he realized I wasn't in our bed, so maybe there is hope for him after all:)

Krakow is a beautiful city - and apparently holds the largest city center (basically, city square) in Europe.  We didn't get in until later Friday, so didn't get to do a lot of sight seeing then, but we did have a nice dinner out!  I cannot express with words how wonderful it was to have a whole weekend full of meals - plus drinks:) without having to worry about loud toddlers, kids' meals, and having enough toys to distract the boys to outfit a daycare.  It was so nice.  And probably won't be happening again for a long time, so I just tried to savor every minute.

Saturday morning we were scheduled to tour the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.  We decided to take a guided tour and had a company pick us up at the hotel - great decision.  The weather was very overcast, but luckily, the rain held out until towards the end - very fitting for the day.  Auschwitz was many things: depressing, bewildering, sad, sad, sad, but most of all, truly horrifying.  There just seems to be this weight - a heaviness that just blankets the whole area.  It is just mind-blowing that this actually happened - and not that incredibly long ago, really.  You can read about and study the Holocaust and World War II all you want, but until you actually see for yourself the destruction and horror the Nazis caused...I certainly never anticipated being effected this much.  I still think about it all the time.  There is one picture that I can't get out of my head:  a group of Hungarian children - all little boys - holding hands, followed by a young mom holding a baby walking towards what they were told were showers, which of course was the gas chamber.  It is haunting.  I went to take a picture of it then stopped - it's burned into my memory forever.

Although there were many concentration camps throughout Europe, there were six 'death camps' - all located in Poland - and all with the specific purpose of killing a large amount of people; Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest of these.  It is estimated that between 1.1 and 1.5 million people were murdered there between 1942 and 1944.  Auschwitz was originally a Polish army base, and looked like one - or at least in my mind, of how an old army base would look.  It soon became too small for the Nazis, however, and Birkenau was then created just a short distance away.  Birkenau is much more spread out than Auschwitz is - it would've taken us quite a while to walk the whole perimeter.

"Work makes you free" - the first thing a prisoner would see as they walked into Auschwitz.  How cruel the Nazis were - a person of course had no chance of gaining freedom there.

An urn containing ashes of people murdered in the gas chambers.  The guide told us that ashes were most often sold and used as fertilizer. 

Sleeping quarters - prisoners had to sleep at least five per bunk.

This was pretty poignant - an entire wall filled with pictures of the prisoners along with the date of their arrival and the date of their death.  The Nazis soon stopped documenting the prisoners with photos and turned to tattoos instead.  They were 'labeled' so an accurate count could be done daily to insure no one had run away.  The guide told us roll call could last anywhere from an hour up to twelve hours a day - forcing the prisoners to stand there in all kinds or weather - another form of torture.  

The wall where executions were carried out.   

Sleeping quarters in Birkenau - nothing more than stables.

Memorial to the victims of Auschwitz-Birkenau; all of the languages of the prisoners are represented 

As dreary and miserable as Saturday was, Sunday was the opposite - although it started off foggy, it turned into a beautiful day, and Nick and I ran around like crazy trying to see as much as possible before we had to check out of the hotel and fly home.

Location of the Jewish ghetto - place where Jews were forced to live prior to being moved to the concentration camps.  Here they were divided into the 'able workers' versus those deemed unworthy to live.  15,000 people were forced to live where only 3,000 had previously. 

View from Wawel castle

St. Mary's Basilica

These pretzel-type things were to Krakow what waffles are to Brussels...they were yummy.  

We were able to show Nick some sights around Brussels as well.  One place he wanted to visit that we hadn't been to yet either was Mini-Europe, an outdoor park where different tourist attractions throughout the EU are displayed - all on a scale of  1 to 25 (except Mt. Vesuvius...)  It was pretty cool, quite literally, actually, as we picked probably the coldest day he was here to go - but at least it was sunny.  We'll definitely have to take a trip back sometime with Scott - in the summer.  

The Grand Place, Brussels

Buckingham Palace

Dover, England

Champs Elysees, Paris

Barcelona

And of course a trip to Brussels wouldn't be complete without seeing the Grand Place or the Mannequin Pis.  

Most of all it was just really nice having Nick here - just hanging out and playing with the boys.  Will started back to school on Monday and it was great being able to leave Bo here and get Will without dragging a stroller on to the bus.  But alas, Wednesday arrived and he packed up and went back home.  Bo was a little confused for a day or two as to where Nick went.  I feel like with him leaving the Christmas season, too, came to a close, so Wednesday all the decorations were packed back up, the tree was thrown over the balcony - bet you don't hear that very often - (easiest tree disposal ever - it was picked up first thing Thursday morning!), and now we're back  to the normal swing of things.  The weather here has been fantastic - 50's this weekend - we were able to go the park both days.  It's been great being able to walk to pick up Will from school again - although I'm not sure it's going to last - looks like it'll be back in the 30's by the end of the week.  Will seems to be making some progress with school.  He counts in French now and the other day when the boys were in the tub and I asked who wanted to get out he raises his hand and yells: 'Moi, moi!' (me).  He also calls me mama - with the French accent.  His teachers insist that he understands commands and other simple things now, and although he's not talking back in French, he will answer their questions in English, which means he must understand at least a little of what they say??  Who knows what's going on in that head of his.  

Another American started at PWC - although he's in audit and won't be working with Scott.  I was actually already in contact with his wife as she was an acquaintance - and facebook friend - of Malena, my bf from high school.  Small world - and God bless facebook...  They moved here around the first of the year and we got together Sunday night.  Always nice to know some fellow Americans 4500 miles away from home - and they have two kids too, right around Will and Bo's age, which is great!  I couldn't help but reflect on our first few days/weeks here - have to say it's nice to be where we are right now versus where they are...in temporary housing, waiting for all of their belongings, trying to get accustomed to this new city, country, life!  I mean, not that we're pros by any stretch of the imagination, but I can honestly say I'm happy that initial adjustment is behind us.  Glad we went through it.  Glad it's over.  

Not a whole lot planned for the upcoming weeks.  Some get-togethers with friends, but besides that, I'm kind of excited to just be for a little while.  Will started basketball today, so for the next six Sundays, anyway, we're here.  Scott's sister-in-law - and my good friend - Jen is coming for a few days next week - and I CAN'T WAIT!!  We don't have much planned.  A friend is going to watch the boys on Saturday so Scott, Jen and I can go to Brugge in peace, as that was one place she wanted to visit, but besides that, I think we're just going to relax and hang out in Brussels.  

Have a great week!