day 43 berlin

2 july 2009


today we joined a "mosaic" guided tour led by jacob (who is fluent in 4 languages) to sachsenhausen memorial concentration camp, about 30 minutes outside of central berlin by s-bahn train.

although extermination's did occur at this site (at "station z"), it's primary function was for slave labour. interesting thing about this camp is that it is right beside a normal community where nazi/ss families (aryans) would have lived. there used to be roll-call everyday in a big open area immediately after the entrance gates (with a message in the gate reading, "work will set you free", and a not-so-neutral zone along the borders where guards were at liberty to fire away should a detainee step in.


learned about the 134M pound counterfeit attempt to weaken the UK economy (via inflation) and saw a recreated memorial jewish barrack (38), which had been attacked by neo-bazis. sheesh...

also learned at first how opel was asked to produce a killing mechanism for prisoners... this prompted me to ask about other still-existing companies, and these include hugo boss(!) and coke (who apparently started fanta to penetrate given coke embargo). the pathology lan was disturbing as well with how autopsies were rushed and generally only 3 causes of death were allowed to be recorded ... hence many autopsies defaulted to "heart failure". how sad. lastly, learned about "death march" intended to kill off prisoners following pending liberation... crazy.


nusbaum and i then hit up the bode museum (free! thursday!) and then to kate recommended mr vhoung's for vietnamese food. it rained hard again and nusbaum still hasn't learned...


other:
- we're going surfing!
- kim and steve call me "childkiller" as i jaywalk...