Salzburg Global Seminar: A Day At Dachau 2

When we arrived at Dachau, we were issued with individual audio guides and with mine in hand, I set out to walk along a path that thousands had walked, some to their death, and fortunately, many others to safety and freedom. I choose to walk alone because I did not want to talk to anyone in a time I place I felt I had no reason to talk.
I can never truly express what I felt as I walk through the grounds, the museum, and the various memorials that have been erected on the site. I can never understand how we can allow ourselves to reach to a point where we kill our friends, neighbours, and even relatives because someone tells us that we are better than them, and that they are worse than animals. Even as it happens today, all over the world, it seems that we will never learn that we are one and the same, no matter that we are black or white, bond or free, Jew or Gentile.
It broke my heart to think so many had to suffer and die because a nation followed a leader who made them feel superior but all that is history, and in spite of "Never Again," many around the world have not learned from this brutal part of our history. Hopefully, we ca all play a part in changing the way the world thinks and sees itself.


A picture of the pile of bodies that was awaiting cremation outside the ovens on the day the camp was liberated


The entrance of the site...such a small entrance for the thousands who entered.


The Russian Orthodox Memorial, one of a few on the site


The Jewish Memorial erected on the site


Not the best day for pictures, I could barely muster a smile




This is a memorial site representing the thousands whose ashed was dumped unceremoniously after cremation. It is only one of a few on the site.


The ovens where the bodies of the dead prisoners were cremated. Just overhead, at the front of the ovens, there are rafters that were used to hang prisoners. No one knows for sure how many died this way.


At a glance, it can be easily mistaken for a shower but no water ever came out of these jets. This was the gas chamber of Dachau. It was never used to kill prisoners but it is reported that officers would gas a few prisoners that they wanted to get rid of.


Another memorial to the thousands who died. This is located opposite the gas chamber and oven room.

Salzburg Global Seminar: A Day At Dachau 1

One of the highlights of our visit to Salzburg was the visit to Dachau. We knew beforehand that we would be making the trip but with all the activities going on around us, there was really no time to think about it. Then the day came and we got on the bus for the two hour ride there.
Nothing prepared me for the emotions that swept over me as we rode the bus to the site. Not all the movies I have seen, not all the articles I have read on the war, ant not all the books I have read. It was a day of mixed emotions for me to stand there on the same ground that thousands walk on, never know where their next step would lead.



On the bus, sitting with Jeffrey, we made our way silently to the memorial site.




It seemed as if the weather was preparing us for the trip but being cold and melancholy. There was never a single ray of sunshine on the ride there or back.


The famous words "Never Again" written in several languages greets the visitor close to the museum. I am not sure if the world has been living up to that but it is altogether another chapter.


A piece of artwork that shows that represents the plies of bodies that was found when the camp was liberated'


A wide open area in front of some of the buildings where the prisoners were gathered morning and evening to be counted by their guards.

The Salzburg Global Seminar

I have tried to explain to some of my friends at BMCC what the Salzburg Seminar was all about. Many of them could not get the concept so this is how I would break it down for them.

"If you are a student who is attending college and you plan to get your degree, find a great job, make lots of money and do all the things you always wanted to do, and live happily ever after, then The Salzburg Seminar is not for you."

The Salzburg Seminar aims to give students a global prospective to their studies. It helps you to see that there is more to life and the world that what meets the eye. It is more than having what you want to make you happy. It opens up a whole big world and gives you a glimpse of what is happening out there and shows how each student can become an agent of change and betterment.

I have to say that my eyes have been opened and now I have a better picture of what I want to do with my life and how I can go about doing that. I have an important part to lay in making this world a better place to live in, and so does everyone else. I need to do what I have to do and do it to the best of my ability. I am glad I have exposed to people and resources that I can access as I fulfill my life's goal. Be sure to stay on this journey with me as the dream unfolds.

Salzburg: The Living experience

If I could wake up every morning for the rest of my life, look out my window, see the ice capped mountains beyond a shimmering lake, walk among the trees and feel the calm that I felt in Salzburg, I would be content.

One of the most beautiful places I have visited and stayed at so far in my life, my time at the Schloss Leopoldskron was a week of bliss. I spent as much time as possible outdoors and did not care about the cold. Water and mountains are my favorite scenery and I enjoyed every peaceful scenic moments in Salzburg.

Following are some of the pictures I took around the buildings we stayed in. I had the best time and would return at the drop of a hat.

The Schloss Leopoldskron from across the lake.




The grounds behind the Schloss toward the lake.

Looking toward the Alps from the rear of the Schloss.

Carnegie Hall Performance

I had an opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall with the BMCC Downtown Chorus but because I was in Salzbur for the main rehearsals with he conductor and the orchestra, I did not. Instead, I got a free ticket to a balcony seat and thoroughly enjoyed the combined choir of 300 singers, conductor by Dr Anton Armstrong, perform Gabriel Faure's "Requiem." It was absolutely beautiful and even though I did not sing, I am happy to have been there to enjoy.

After the concert, my choir director, Dr Eugenia E Yau, and her husband Jose, took us to a nearby bar and we had some drinks and pizza, all compliments Jose. We all had a grand time relaxing with the knowledge of a job well done behind us.

Congratulations to all!Special thanks to Dr Yau and all her hard work in providing this awesome, once in a lifetime opportunity.


Let the party begin. Jon, Gianni and me.


Gianni, Jon, and Pramela...can you tell the thorn from the roses?

Our very talented and awesome director and friend, Dr. Eugenia Yau and her husband Jose with me.

Introducing....the two tenors....drum roll please...

Dr. Yau with some of the talented singers from our Chorus.

Meet the "Three Musketeers," Peter, Jon and me.

Part of the group, enjoying drinks on Jose and (hungrily) awaiting the pizza.

Finals Week Is Here

It has begun! The long (not) anticipated week of finals, that bittersweet time for all students, is NOW!

I just finished my first final of the week and thank God it was Physics. I am so happy that is over and done with. I have one final for each remaining day of the week and then I am home free. Physics was my biggest worry and now I can breeze through the remaining exams in the subjects that are more to my liking.

Before going on, I need to backtrack a little and fill in all the gaps of the past month. As you know, in April, I spent a week in Salzburg and believe it or not, that week has changed my life in many ways.

I will be going back to that time and posting stuff that took place from my week in Salzburg till now. Happy reading.

From Salzburg to New York

It was quite a reality check to arrive back in NY and see that nothing had changed in the week that I was away. But why should it have anyway? New York had no real bearing on the fact that I attended The Salzburg Global Seminar and the only change expected was with me.

Today, Monday 28Th, April, I am back in the swing of things with classes at 8am and surprisingly enough, I was awake and alert. I am proud of myself. After seven nights of an average 3 hours sleep, I thought it would be tough on me to sit through my classes, but so far so good. Tomorrow will be the real test though, when I have classes and other activities from 8am right up until 9:30pm.

On the bright side, I have made some wonderful new friends, I have learned so much about myself and my future and where its headed, and I had tons of fun in the process. What more can I ask for! I have already been given more than I deserve and I am thankful for every moment of joy and enlightenment that comes my way.

Look for much much more updates and pictures in the coming week.



On my way to the city center with some of the students. One of the many stops along the way that we could pass without getting a few photos.


This is a picture of the entire group of students and the one faculty member from my college, Borough of Manhattan Community College, (BMCC)that was a part of The Salzburg Global Seminar.