It has been a long week as we all wait for something we are excited for but at the same time not excited for. Personally I think it is wrong for Jews to go to these places. Why should we go back to a place we were slaughtered? The ONLY reason I think Jews should go back is to bear witness to the survivors today and the dead. But, I am going into this trip with a positive mindset. I believe that everyone that is apart of this endeavor is striving for a wonderful experience.

When it comes to contrasting the United States and Israel to Poland I think it will be harder than I thought. I have never been to Poland before so all of my ideas will be rooted in bias and misunderstanding. I know that Poland is not all sad and something to associate to terror. It is a place of beauty and life; a place your people live and Jews still live there. But this is real, I am going to Poland to bear witness to the Holocaust tomorrow. This is something people never get to do in their entire lives. I am lucky enough to be able to experience this. For this trip, sweatshirts were designed for the entire group and people submitted designs. I am proud to say my design was picked and you will all be able to see it in pictures! I feel as though I have been studying the holocaust and the history of Jews in Poland my entire life, and tomorrow is actually the day where I go to witness the horrors that were brought upon the Jewish people.

I can say with honesty, that I am nervous for the trip. I am scared that I am not going to enjoy myself while I am on the trip. This is why I will enter it with a positive mind. Although I am nervous, scared and maybe a little confused, I am excited for a few things. I am excited to learn about the culture of Poland and the people that inhabit the country. I love to try new foods and I am excited to expand my pallet. Going to Auschwitz will surely be an emotional adventure and I look forward to that part of the trip.