First trip to a Concentration Camp

Had a very good day today. Hannes's mother, sister, and I visited two museums. One about the Berlin Wall and the defenses used to keep people from crossing the Iron Curtain. The second was a Concentration Camp. It was such a moving experience. Even more so than I expected. Words can't describe the feeling in my gut when I read that the camp was not even built until 1944 and most of Germany already knew the war was going to end, but that the camp would help their "Total Victory," also I do not think there is any way to describe the feeling of seeing the ovens, barely touched since their origional purpose. Yet what I think struck me the most, was how beautiful the area was. With a few minor changes it would look the same as Bennington College in Vermont. The trees were beautiful and old, the birds were chirping and the view of the surrounding towns and villiages was breathtaking. Were it not for the weight of knowledge wrapped around my heart, it would have been an ideal place for a picnic.
Oh! I don't know if they taught you guys that Wernher von Braun was an awesome guy like they taught my class, but I will tell you that he was one evil bastard. Just sayin'.
Sadly I came accross the first thing I miss about American culture. Ice. No one put's ice cubes in their drinks in Europe unless it's a cocktail on the rocks. It's hot here, I like ice in my drinks thank you very much.
Anywho, I hope all is going well over there in the time zone my body is still trying to sleep to.
Much love,
~Sam