27th May - The Camp

The Friedrichstrube station - calm and relaxed - not busy - people business like - everyone seems to know what they are doing and where they are going. We follow one into a French coffee shop. Latte and croissant.

We search the station for the S1 line - we find signs - we follow the signs - they are confusing and we are confused - we make liberal use of the lifts - we consult the locals - we are eventually on the train to Oranienburg and the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

"Quick get off" says Bernie - "we are here" - "I read it" - says she - she is almost off the train - "this is wrong" - thinks I - too late! - we are standing on the Oranienburg Strabe station platform.

We sit - we wait - try again - success! - we are off to Oranienburg - the town - not the street!

The trip? - Pleasant through the German suburban country side - 40 minutes later we have only a few stations to go - the train stops - there is another train on the other platform - its indicator board says Oranienburg - "that is strange" thinks I - "two trains both heading to Oranienburg"

People board our train - they look at us in a strange way - "funny" thinks I - the train departs - in the opposite direction! - we were supposed to change trains! 

We get off at the next station - we will try again! 

We try again - success - a taxi to the camp - a driver down from Berlin - I show him where camp is - when we arrive I ask "how much"? - "what ever you have" says he - a 20 starts to emerge from my wallet - "that is ok" - says he - "no" says I - "10" - "ok" says he!

We get audio guides and start at the models of the camp - it is great commentary - suddenly a tour group arrives - the guide walks up beside me and proceeds to shout out to his group - he eventually drives me on - we wander around the camp - there is practically nothing left of the barracks - neglect during the Soviet occupation? - I hope so! - I trust it is not historical sanitisation! 

The old prisoners quarters all gone save for brick lines as outlines and black gravel as infill.  We are comforted as wild flowers breathe some life back into what must have been terrible places.

There are displays of photographs - story snippets - but nothing that really displays the actual conditions experienced by the prisoners - we did not go into the theaters on the site and limited our walking so our opinion might not be valid - overall a disappointment! 

A taxi back to the station - 8 euros - "that Berliner was really looking to take me to the cleaners!" Thinks I.

We are experienced German train travelers now - we validate our ticket and head back to Friedrichstrabe.

By the time we are back in Berlin the day is mature - we nap before rising to drink and dine - we venture into the Hans il Gluck - it advertises itself as a bar and burgerie - just a few doors up from the hotel - it's decor? - one of a forest of trees trunks complete with bird nesting boxes - neat wooden tables nestle amongst the canopy-less trunks - the decor is pleasing - relaxing - so relaxing that it could be a little dangerous for the two old soaks!

They start on Lemoncello spritz and white wine - they order salads, klasic burgers and sides and more white wine. 

The faire? - delightful! - the service? - exceptional! - the soaks decide not to reveal any further orders that they may or not have made.

The prices charged here consistent with the prices we have been subjected to throughout Europe - the Australian dollars sign changed for euros!

We leave the place pleased! - "I really liked that" says Bernie