Humiliation or Death

It is a far cry from the beauty of the Monet gardens to the horror of Terezin, a concentration camp just outside Prague. These bathrooms look very good - but these were always locked, except for when the Red Cross came, and then the inmates were allowed to use them for a day or so. Terezin was the model camp created by the Nazi as a publicity stunt. What a shame the publicity stunt was only for a few days a year. The buildings here had begun life as an army barracks in the 19th century being between the base of two arms of the Germanic Empire, then a gaol at the turn of the century. This cell was famous for housing the young man Princeps who shot Arch Duke Ferdinand and precipitated the First World War. Normally a man would be shot for treason, but being under 21, he was housed here. (He died aged 26)

Work will make you free. The sign of hope that greeted the inmates. Terezin was filled early in the war and few had heard of the atrocities that might befall them. They were duped into thinking that their deportation to Terezin was a good thing.

The field outside is huge, filled with graves of those known to die here. Many have small pebbles on them bought by relatives from their homeland as is a Jewish tradition
But not all were Jewish and the Christians who were unlucky enough to come to this place - mainly Czech who had disobeyed in some way were also buried here.
A huge cemetery for such a short time.
And just remember that because it was a model camp their were no gas chambers here. All these people died of malnutrition and disease through poor hygiene.

We were all totally relaxed as we entered, and quite numb when we came out.

These bunks held 30 when the Red Cross came and up to 90 for the rest of the year.

Our guide was passionate about her job. Here she tells us about the holding pen for new arrivals. They were stripped naked and up to 50 people crammed in here. They took turns to stand,sit or lie down. If two people had died by morning they were moved into the camp. If not they were held for a longer period. The first two to step out of line would be shot. It seemed so hopeless for them, but everywhere there were tiny signs of tenacity which held them on until the next Red Cross visit.

The washing area was needed to try and keep the lice at bay. Clothes were washed, inmates were hosed and then they dressed in their wet clothes.

We were then taken into Terezin township where Jews from Denmark and some of the Scandinavian Countries were held under "house arrest"
We went to a museum which featured the many pictures of a young girl which were found in the attic of one of the schoolrooms which sprang up.

A sad and sobering experience.

Beautiful Monet Gardens

Whilst in Paris we took a half day trip up to the gardens of the Monet family. We travelled by minivan, with a very informative driver who assured us that it was because of the light that Monet settled in this area north east of Paris. Well... who's going to believe that?? Yet as we entered the valley the light seemed to become quite luminescent, and by the time we reached Giverney, I was a believer!

Monet, and other impressionists like Bonnard whose works we saw in a small art gallery before the garden visit, investigated the reflection of colours and the blurring of lines, subjects close to hand in their works, not the stark, precise impersonal paintings of the preceding era.

The house was filled with copies of Monet works - and although not the originals, at least we could get up close.

The waterlilies were not yet out under the famous bridge, inspired by Japanese artists who had made their way to Paris in the late 1800's

A warm spring had bought the tulips on early, not only here but all over Paris too. (must have put their bulbs in the fridge, Lyn)

The plots were laid out with a casual country air.

with artistic vistas everywhere

The Japanese tourists loved it, especially with the links to Japanese art, which really surprised me.

Duncan was not only impressed by the gardens, but also gained quite an insight into some of Phyl's styles of painting.

The trip back took us past the Nazi headquarters in France - so close to Paris. It looked scary.

What the???? (2)

In Colmar we hired a driver as the tour to the castle was all booked out. Here we are tasting some gewurz in Alsace! The clown between us is the driver, Yves. And no tour of a winery is complete without a thorough inspection of the tanks. Thank goodness I was wearing a distinctive cardi. This is in Reims at Mumm Champagne.

Audience participation time and Frank astounds even the Hungarian dancers by being able to balance the carafe on his head. Barbara and Hettie look excited, but Frank has his stoic smile on.

Guaranteed to buy anything tacky in the souvenir line, and often making the rest of the tour party wait while he did so, Mr and Mrs Elvis (although we understand their real name was Anderson) chose plastic Bavarian Aprons here. They sort of suit them.

Some of you may recall that when we visited Italy in 2003, Duncan bought a pair of shoes he just loved. Finally on this trip the soles started to give way. It took a few days to convince him that no, the cobbler could not repair this until he finally went and bought a Czech pair. We ceremoniously put the old pair in the bin of the Hilton Prague. When the cleaning lady had been, the shoes were neatly stacked ina row with all the others. Our second attempt to throw out the shoes may have been more successful but we'd left the country by then.

Goodbye Shoes