Dachau

This story is very short, but very deep in my opinion. Anything to do with this terrible chapter in history should be.

Around a year ago, my dad and I took a trip to Munich, Germany for Easter. I absolutely fell in love with Germany, it was one of the best trips of my life. Even though there are wonderful parts of Germany, that certainly doesn't mask its dark past. On my trip, my dad and I scheduled to go to Dachau to wander the concentration camp there.

Unlike most concentration camps, Dachau didn't partake in the mass executions by gas chamber. The gas chamber there was hardly ever used. Even though the severity of the camp's cruelties might not've been as bad as other camps, it was still very grave.

My dad and I lingered behind a tour for awhile that was held in the main building. The main building's purpose was to classify newcomers- to get their papers, to number them, shave their heads, confiscate their clothes, and anything else to process them. It also served as an area for torture.

We followed the tour group into the room mainly used for punishment. There were whippings, but what Dachau is more infamous for is how they hung men up by their arms. They would tie their hands behind their backs, and then hang them up by their hands. This ripped the muscles, ligaments, tendons, you name it. I only half listened to this, and it left my mind as I continued on further into the building.

This is where it gets unexplainable. As I was wandering around in the third to last room, I felt uneasy. My shoulder blades began to ache unbearably and I felt lightheaded. This only worsened over time, and as I reached the last room, I could barely stand and ended up sitting on a window sill for some form of comfort. Of course my dad thought I was being dramatic, but believe me when I tell you this feeling was real.

I decided to go outside for fresh air, and within minutes of being out of the building I felt better. It wasn't until later when I remembered what exactly they did to men in there. They hung them by their arms.

I'm not entirely sure, but I have a feeling that I felt a portion of the suffering they went through. I don't think it was intentional, I don't know what it was. But whatever it is, I'll never forget it.