Day 16: Off to Munich I Go!

This morning, Erik dropped me off at the train station, and I headed to Munich! It was about a two hour trip, so I arrived around 11:00. I had found a hostel the previous night, so called to confirm that they still had room, and headed that way. But, this hostel was different than anyone I had stayed at before. It was basically too good to be true. Even though it was sleeping on the floor like camping in s large tent; I paid for three nights, which was less than I had paid at any hostel thus far for one night! It also had a park, basketball court, table tennis, laundry, community kitchen, cafeteria with breakfast and dinner, piano bar, and bon fire! It's probably one of the coolest places I've stayed. The atmosphere was very laid back. With so many community areas, it also really enhanced being able to meet people. I've found as a solo traveler that this is especially important. Most people travel in pairs, if not groups. However, this makes it difficult for people like me to connect with others. Some are more home bodies too and like to stick together. But having a bon fire and dinner available to eat there made it really easy to meet people.

Anyways, once I made it there, and set up my bed, I had to figure out what to do for the rest of the day. I knew I'd have two and a half days in Munich, plus there were a couple of day trip activities close by. One of which, is Dachau. Dachau was the first concentration camp. Now, this isn't a place I wanted to go; but felt that I should, and I'll explain why later. Several people since going have asked me why I feel they should go. I'm not going to explain much about it, or post pictures. I hardly even took any pictures. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but one I'll never forget. The extent of inhumane acts was beyond my knowledge. It was disgusting, creepy, terrible, sad , and gave me chills. It honestly took me about three minutes to walk through the gate because I simply didn't want to go in. I can't comprehend how one human being can do that to another. No one is lesser, all are equal. Although it's not a fun or pleasant experience, I believe there are three reasons to go to places like that. 1) to remember what happened as to not repeat history. 2) to make it real and personal. Reading something in a book doesn't make it real, and part of your life of world, but seeing it does. 3) to remember and honor those who went through hell. At the very least to pay your respect to them.

After getting back from Dachau, I didn't want to do anything. If I could, I would have curled up in a corner alone and reflected. But at this point, that might have done more harm than good being alond. So I simply sat at the hostel, ate dinner, met a few people, sat around the bon fire, then went to bed.