Mauthausen

On our way to Vienna, we stopped at an Austrian concentration camp, Mauthausen. It was a labor camp where prisoners were worked to death.

The tone of the day was set by the weather. It was cold, gloomy, and rainy all day. Our tour guide was very educated and his stories were captivating. He really opened our eyes to the atrocities that occurred during Hitler's reign. We all hear about the cruelty and unbearable conditions for the Jews, but he went deeper and explained the reality that this could happen anywhere. The Jews were under such horrific conditions that it should not be surprising that people acted like animals. Everyone was forced to fight for their lives, often times against their own family members.

The experience also made me realize the Germany was definitely not the only country at fault. Austria was heavily involved in the Holocaust, but there is still a huge sense of denial. It was sickening to hear how leaders of the Nazi regime were given more respect by their comrades as they became more cruel. They coerced each other to be more brutal. Young men were drawn into the "glory." Their cruelty instilled a sense of confidence and pride. It's a twisted dark history.

I still get chills thinking about my experience at Mauthausen, but it was a good reminder that our history can be repeated.

Hundreds of people slept in these bunkers - often at least three to a bed

This was our guide, Daniel, in front of the crematorium.