North Central Nebraska Photographer: World Travels- Part Fünf {Dachau}

Dachau

We left the city to visit Dachau, the notorious Nazi labor camp where thousands perished as slave laborers for the Nazi machine.

I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. ~Elie Wiesel

I thought this visit deserved its own post.  It was a missing piece of the puzzle for me.  In all my years of studying the Holocaust, I never felt that I could completely wrap my mind around what I was learning because I had never set foot in the place where it all began.  To be in Munich and to visit one of the many camps that fostered such inhumanity was a bit surreal to me.  It was a haunting experience at a personal level for me, and as I wondered through the various stations on the grounds, I struggled to swallow my emotions.

Of course Germany can not be defined by Nazi history.  There is much more to it than that; but for me, it was a spiritual experience to walk the same paths as those who lost their lives through such senseless means.

Seeing this famous sculpture in person had an absolute profound effect on me.  A photo on the page will never be the same.

The notorious ovens.  Who would have thought that just the sight of them would create such an emotional response.

The execution walls are what really got me.  The bullet holes...the blood ditch.  The silent screams.

 

The acknowledgement of the thousands upon thousands lost on these grounds.  A humbling moment for me.

To touch what they touched.  To breathe air contained by barbed wire.  To see the doors that closed on the helpless, hiding them from the world's eyes.  To feel the emotional lump in my throat I walked through the iron doors spelling out "Arbeit Macht Frei".  Work Brings Freedom.  An ironic statement that I have never been able to erase from my mind since first reading about it in Elie Wiesel's book Night.  To see it, to touch the curve of the letters, to walk through the gate...it is hard to put into words.  So...I won't. 

North Central Nebraska Photographer: World Travels- Part Vier {Germany}

 Liechtenstein

On our way to Germany, we stopped in Liechtenstein at  Neuschwanstein Castle.  Home of the famed King Ludwig, a patriot of the arts, and a devout (or obsessed) follower of composer Richard Wagner., the palace was created to pay homage to Wagner, and though it was never finished, it was truly amazing to see his vision and passion.  Just days after being forced from the throne, Ludwig was found dead in a lake.  Whether it was suicide or an accident, we don't know...but the legend lives on to this day, and the castle inspired the famous Walt Disney castle design.

Munich

Germany is amazing.  The city is beautiful, clean, and a perfect mix of modern and historic.  So much of it was destroyed during the war that many of the buildings had be reconstructed to emulate what they used to look like.  We explored it by bus and bike, and I really felt at home here.

We first stopped by the Bavarian Royals' palace.  Modeled after Versailles, this palace boasted large gardens, sculpture, and beautiful landscaping.  It was gorgeous!

 The main shopping square was so beautiful.  With farmer's produce stands everywhere, beer stands, and more shops than I could ever visit, it was a fun way to spend our few hours of free time.  I ventured into a basement restaurant with one of the other chaperones, and much to our delight, we discovered Nebraska Beef as a featured entree on the menu!  

Later, we were able to explore the beautiful cathedrals of Munich.  There are no words to describe their beauty.

Finally, we ended our last day with a bike tour of the city.  Mike's Bike Tours was the perfect way to see the city.  

North Central Nebraska Photographer: World Travels- Part 1

I was finally able to get through all my trip images, process most of them, and get back through my travel journal today.  In preparing to leave for another week, I find myself feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I knew that June would be crazy for this family, and I did my best to prepare for it, but it is catching up with me.  1 more week to push through, and I will be back home with my family!  I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences thus far, and I am excited to share with you!

I went back and forth FOREVER about taking my beloved SLR with me, but when it came down to it, it was was having the right tool for the occasion.  Because of our schedule and travel conditions, it just wasn't the thing to do.  So, I bought myself a great little Point and Shoot camera and learned how to use it on the bus going to Omaha.  I have to admit that I cheated on my Nikon with a Canon S95, but what can I say, Canon had the edge on Point and Shoot models, and after seeing the comparison my photog friend Khara Plicanic did between the G11 and the S95, well, I was sold.  :D  It was a great camera for the job!

Part 1:  London

(Excerpt from my journal) The plane is about to land in London after an exhausting day.  I was not successful in sleeping on the plane, and though I am thoroughly exhausted, the excitement of the journey we are about to embark upon will keep me going.  I wish I would ahve been able to take a picture of the sunrise, it lit up the other side of the plane with hues of orange and red.  Glorious!  I NEED COFFEE!

 Our group has been awake for almost 36 hours.  Today we met Betthina, our spunky, eclectic tour director.  She is lots of fun, talks very fast, and knows her stuff. 

We experienced a walking tour and a bus tour of downtown London, a lunch of fish and chips, and a visit to the London Tower, Trafalgar Square, and St. Paul's Cathedral.  I am in AWE.  Though I missed the changing of the guard, Westminster Abbey, and Buckinham Palace, I saw it on the fly as I ran from the train to meet up with a group after staying behind to accompany a sick student back to the hotel. The architecture and history is amazing, and I wish I could fully appreciate it, but I think I was in a  sleep deprived daze.

Yummm, Hummus Bros. for dinner!

Atkinson, Nebraska Portrait Photographer: Making Time For Passion

June is a busy month for this family. 

Tuesday I am am leaving to accompany a group of students on the adventure of a lifetime by traveling to Europe for 10 days.  I have never traveled overseas, and though several opportunities have come my way in the last 10 years, I regret to say that I never grabbed them up because "the time just wasn't right".  In hindsight, I realize that I have used that statement as an excuse to NOT do things.  Realistically, is there ever a "right time" to do anything?  Something always seems to come up.  There are always busy schedules, the weather doesn't cooperate, an unexpected expense throws a wrench in your plans, someone gets sick...I was very good at finding all kinds of reasons NOT to take advantage of opportunities.  In reality, it wasn't about timing at all.  It was about my unwillingness to take a risk and have faith.

Two years ago this week I formally joined the Nebraska Writing Project by participating in their Summer Writing Institute.  For 4 weeks, I left my family and moved in with 3 amazing women in Lincoln.  It was not without great trepidation.  I felt extreme guilt about leaving my husband and family to take care of my children during those weeks.    I had so many doubts, and I tried to hide my excitement out of fear of being judged, but I am so blessed that my husband understands and supports my love for continuing education; he knows it is just part of who I am, and without continuing education...well, my spirit begins to wither.  Our family circled around us with love and support, and because of that, I was presented an opportunity to open myself to the experience... to learn...and to grow. 

During that time, I explored who I was, what I wanted out of life, and how I could be a stronger presence for my children and my students.  I met amazing writers from all over our great state during that institute.  They wrote of their adventures,  their accomplishments, their failures, their joys, and their sorrows...and I shared my own with them.  We helped each other become stronger writers though small groups that were built on trust and honesty, we explored how to become stronger educators for our students, and we established friendships that have been lasting.   It was a truly liberating and spiritual experience.

It was also at this time that I first acknowledged aloud my true desire to become a photographer.  I wanted this for quite some time, but "the timing was never right".  I was a wife, a mom, and a teacher already.  My plate was full enough (this is true)...but there was a piece of me that I hadn't explored yet.  My creative spirit was waiting to be unleashed, and I always dreamed of being a business owner.  I began to explore the possibility of realizing this dream, and with the support of my family and friends, I decided to go for it...and I haven’t looked back.  In reality, I feel that I am a better (albeit busier) wife, mother, and teacher because of it. 

Fast forward 2 years. 

I sit here blogging as I look at my schedule. 

It is full. 

June is booked for this family.

I am leaving for 10 days to do something I have never done before, and I am blessed that I get to share that experience with teens, an age group that I LOVE to work with.  I am nervous and excited at the same time.  I am home for 1 week, and then I leave again to participate in a Nebraska Writing Project Holocaust Literature Seminar at the end of the month.  It will be an amazing class full of amazing educators.  I will be a better teacher and better global citizen because of it. In between, I have photo shoots and special photography projects. 

My husband is busy working on the ranch, working cattle, getting ready for haying no doubt, and working with other men from our community to volunteer their time helping others in need.

My boys are preparing to enjoy a summer full of Bible School, swimming lessons, visiting “Gramas” and “Grampas”, aunts and uncles and cousins, celebrating birthdays...and just being kids.

I look at all the colored blocks on my google calendar and I feel a bit of apprehension...do we really have enough time for all of this? 

Well, we will be busy; that is for sure.  But, working with and for others is a passion that brings joy and purpose to our lives, and we are blessed to be busy. 

In the midst of all the turmoil that plagues this world and the pain that afflicts so many (near and far), I realize how important it is to take advantage of opportunities when they come your way.  Whether that opportunity is continuing your education, helping others in need, volunteering your time to an organization, experiencing something new, saying “I love you”, simply spending more quality time with family and friends, or if you are like many who email me, scheduling a photo session that you have been putting off until the “right time”...

choose something you care about and make time for it.

Have a beautiful day!