Sunday, 7 July 2013

Struthof Concentration Camp - Natzweiler, France

Typing this entry as our girls cook supper for us ... marinating chicken breasts in some delightful Alsacian wine and pouring their mothers a glass alongside.  Yummy!

We spent the day at Natzweiler, France.  Marjorie drove a grueling route full of hairpin turns and switchbacks, taking us 45 minutes to get up the mountain and a mere 15 to get down.  We stopped on our way up to support a local volksfest market by purchasing some homemade macaroons and local sausage. The second stop for lavender macaroons added to our drive but also to the experience!

Once up the mountainside, we visited the Struthof Concentration Camp, where we toured the barracks, the gas chamber, the incinerator and the prison where Nazis carried out horrible experiments in the name of science.  It was a sobering experience and the girls commented that it was depressing but worth it. It led us to some meaningful conversation on the drive back down the mountainside and we arrived back in Riquewihr feeling grateful for all we have.
Ceux qui admireront la beaute naturelle de ce sommet ne pourront croire que cette montagne est maudite parce qu'elle a abrite l'enfer des hommes libres. ~ Leon Boutbien, resistant deporte a Natzweiler Struthof. 
 Those who admire the natural beauty of this summit can not know that this mountain is damned because she was a free man's living Hell.  ~ Leon Boutbien, Resistance member deported to Natzweiler Struthof.
Thankful for all we learn and experience. Thankful for all we have. Thankful for our friends and family back home.

Thankful ... for the sisterhood...

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