Auschwitz

[BeeRmOnsTeR]

Next week I am going on a trip to Auschwitz and need to know whether there is a gift shop there. Please help! Google is useless !

[andy hughes]

I somehow think that a 'gift shop' wouold be perceived as rather ghoulish, and probably therefore not an option. Surely you wouldn't want a 'souvenir' of your trip, other than mental images and a strong desire to appreciate the rest of your life?

[derbyram]

you're taking the p1$$ - surely!

[rja211077]

yeah it sells hilarious T-shirts - "my brother went to Auschwitz and all he got me was this stupid T-shirt" and similarly hilarious postcards "auschwitz by night" (a plain black card) etc.

[inferno]

My goodness, there are some strange folk in the world.

[Ewood27]

I have heard that Auschwitz-Birkenau still has a strong aura of despair and evil, and that even now no birds sing. I have not, however, been myself.

[maxi29]

I haven't been in Auschwitz but I have been to Belsen and what Ewood27 says is true: no birds sing. It's very eerie. I can't believe this questioner is serious, who would want a 'souvenir' from Auschwitz?

[BeeRmOnsTeR]

okay let me rephrase it - Is there any shops near the site of auschwitz. Not in the camp but in the surrounding towns ?

[andy hughes]

There will be shops in the surrounding towns and villages, but I'm sure you won't find anything to 'commemorate' your visit, but then again, why would you? This has to be a sobering experience and a reminder of a period of German history that people would rather not draw attention to, O I repeat, go and experience the atmosphere, come home and hug your loved ones, and be thankful you were not in that time and place.

[omblod]

At the weekend a friend told me of her horror at happening upon an Adolf Hitler giftshop in his hometown of Linz, Austria. I was equally appalled to notice how many newsstands in Rome sell Mussolini calendars and such like. That someone could have such a lack of taste and sensitivity to produce Auschwitz souvenirs is only matched in depravity by those who felt the need to buy them.

[haha]

I was there. Yes there is a gift shop selling postcard, keychains, books, and Im not sure what else.

[Philtaz]

Not been, but went to Dachau. The only thing you'll want to remind you of your trip is the stark realisation of the depths to which a man can hate and inflict untold suffering on another man.

[jenstar]

Buying souvenirs is bad? One might as well argue that by the same token, wanting to go and see the place to start with might be a little bit sick.

[Philtaz]

Wrong jenstar. People go to see it in order to ensure that the Holocaust never happens again. For the same reason, German soldiers when completing their National Service are taken to one of the camps are part of their training. The shock value will hopefully inspire future generations to do their utmost never to allow such atrocities again.

[bluedolphin]

I found when visiting...the utter objectivity of all that was on show...the film they show and the guided tour just made everyone reflect ....i dont remember hearing any conversation at all...people just were solem faced and as the tour went on silent tears could be seen on most of the faces in the group...which gave me some hope for all of us....

[apricot]

Yes there is a small shop selling postcards and booklets but it is NOT what I would call a 'gift shop'. I visited last year and particularly wanted to go when there were no leaves on the trees when it was most austere. Not sure why but the feeling was very strong. My memories are vivid, everyone should go.

[Mattk]

i too would like to go to auschwitz to experience the atmosphere that everyone says hangs in the air.it sounds like a peculiar thing to do and im sure it would not be pleasant but it would be interesting to see the site of this atrocity 1st hand.if this is true(and im sure it is) it makes you think on a more spiritual level that if this 'feeling' remains then maybe there is more to us simple homosapiens after all !