The Anne Frank House

Today was my first trip to Amsterdam and my experience there was wonderful. We visited the Anne Frank house, the Van Gogh museum, enjoyed some fabulous food and walked around the city. I was very moved by the Anne Frank house. I remember reading the Diary of Anne Frank when I was in middle school...probably around age 13 or 14. At that age, I somewhat understood what the Holocaust was, but not enough to fully appreciate the book and not enough to comprehend what happened to Anne and her family. My favorite class in college was a class on the Holocaust, through literature and film. Hearing and reading stories first hand from survivors was very powerful for me and it increased my interest in the Holocaust. I have visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC many times and I've read everything there is to read there. However, there is definitely something about being in a location where an event took place. For years, you have an imaginary image of what a place looks like and then that location comes alive. I didn't realize that when you visit the Anne Frank house, you can walk through the entire house. You can see how small the living quarters were and you can hear her words being read to you as you walk through her room. It is a strange feeling. For me, not just the house came to life, but the entire story. I don't just see things when I'm in a place like this, but I sense feelings too (but I'm kinda weird like that). Anyway, the story is amazing. I get cabin fever when I'm stuck in the house for two days. I cannot imagine living in that little section of the house for two years! What patience, endurance, hope, and faith the family must have had. It really is uncomprehendable. Anne Frank died just two months before liberation after having survived those two years in hiding. It is truly a sad story. On the way out of the museum, I bought a copy of the diary. I'm sure that when I read it this time, I will be reading it with a completely different perspective. If you have not already read the diary (shame on you), then I suggest you do so!