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Travel Tuesday

April 7, 2015 By Sage 20 Comments

Each Tuesday, a single photo capturing a beautiful or interesting image from somewhere I’ve traveled…

Auschwitz Suitcases

Margot Frank’s Suitcase, Auschwitz

Normally I don’t add commentary to my Travel Tuesday photos, but this one is different.  I read the Diary of Anne Frank in seventh grade and being about the same age as Anne when she went into hiding I became fascinated by her story.

In 1990, I was fortunate enough to visit her Secret Annex in Amsterdam, when it was still just a little townhouse next to a canal, not the major tourist attraction it is today. Her story has stayed with me all of these years, and has to some extent shaped my world view.  I was campaigning for gay rights before it was cool, and I think Anne had a lot to do with that.

In November, 2012, I visited Krakow and took a bus to Auschwitz.  I saw so many unbelievable and unforgettable things that day… these suitcases were one of them. Seeing the one marked “M. Frank” made me think of Anne.

You can read more about my visit to Krakow and Auschwitz here.

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Comments

  1. Darisa says

    April 7, 2015 at 3:25 PM

    Wonderful picture. Love the commentary that you added.

    Reply
  2. Fi Ní Neachtáin says

    April 7, 2015 at 6:56 PM

    Such a poignant photo to share with us. I don’t think I could ever visit Auschwitz, I think it must be a place of overwhelming sadness, is it?

    Reply
    • Sage says

      April 8, 2015 at 1:08 PM

      It is. Everyone knows what went on there, but to actually be there is an experience I’ve never been able to articulate. The scale of it is mindblowing and the exhibits are very personal.

      There are a lot of personal belongings, handwritten records, and photos of the prisoners. You can tell from the photos which of them fought back, and you can tell by the things they packed that they really had no idea what they were in for. It was so easy to see myself in the little satin slippers of the women who were murdered there.

      Reply
  3. Liz Mays says

    April 7, 2015 at 8:46 PM

    Wow, It must have been powerful being in the secret annex after reading her diary. I don’t even know how I’d react to seeing all those suitcases in Auschwitz.

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth Leiro (@CAPretty) says

    April 7, 2015 at 9:35 PM

    This is a beautiful, tragic photo. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Qoftwignberry (@Qoftwignberry) says

    April 7, 2015 at 9:12 PM

    I love having the chance to teach “The Diary of Anne Frank” since it is such a powerful story. Beautiful picture of beautiful spirits that will live on forever.

    Amanda

    Reply
  6. Esther of Local Adventurer says

    April 8, 2015 at 12:03 AM

    I remember reading her book when I was in grade school too. I wish i had seen the secret annex before i thad become a huge tourist attraction.

    Reply
  7. NutriFitMama says

    April 8, 2015 at 1:41 AM

    Oh wow. That must have been an experience being there!! I enjoyed the commentary as well.

    Reply
  8. Ourfamilyworld (@OurFamilyWorld) says

    April 8, 2015 at 12:54 AM

    Wow what an emotional item to see. I would have shed some tears when seeing this suitcase

    Reply
  9. Michele D says

    April 8, 2015 at 3:34 AM

    I agree with you. So surreal. That will be something that you will always remember too.

    Reply
  10. Joanne T Ferguson says

    April 8, 2015 at 3:40 AM

    Wonderful photo and I always enjoy learning something new! The photo did bring a tear in my eye today too!

    Reply
  11. Lauren says

    April 8, 2015 at 11:04 AM

    This is such a powerful image and a powerful story! It’s one of my favorite stories to hear and read about!

    Reply
  12. Rebecca Swenor says

    April 8, 2015 at 11:37 AM

    This is an amazing picture. I have always gotten choked up reading stories like Anne Frank’s. It would be such a powerful emotion to visit her Secret Annex in Amsterdam. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
  13. Sage says

    April 8, 2015 at 1:16 PM

    Thanks all for your kind comments. I was a bit apprehensive about posting this one because I like Travel Tuesday to be fun, but when I was going through my Krakow archive, I came across this photo and felt it the right one for this week.

    xo

    Reply
  14. Aprill says

    April 8, 2015 at 3:37 PM

    Thanks for sharing this photo. I remember reading about Anne Frank back in elementary school. Such a captivating story

    Reply
  15. risten says

    April 9, 2015 at 2:32 AM

    You are very brave for visiting. I don’t think I would be able to

    Reply
    • Sage says

      April 10, 2015 at 9:29 AM

      Thank you. I lost my nerve partway there, but I was on a bus somewhere in the Polish countryside, so it was pretty much a point of no return. It was a difficult place to visit, but I’m glad I went.

      Reply
  16. Mercedes says

    April 9, 2015 at 12:30 PM

    This photo was powerful before I even began reading, Emotional. Glad you posted.

    Reply
  17. Penny Struebig says

    April 9, 2015 at 3:00 PM

    Love the picture! I haven’t read Anne Frank since I was a child. It’s probably time to give it another read.

    Reply
  18. Camesha says

    April 10, 2015 at 4:02 AM

    Wow! What an experience. Just to think of the stories all of those suitcases represent.

    Reply

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