Hi every one! Thanks for tuning into this post of my summer blog! I wrote this post several days ago after my first day in Minsk, Belarus. Unfortunately, I had no internet access, so I have waited till now to post it. I will continue to post my further activities as soon as possible! Thanks!
So here’s how it all happened:
Last Thursday, I flew in Los Angeles with literally every fear in the world. I’m not going to list them all out, but I think I was terrified most of all because I thought I would feel alone on my trip. However, after arriving in Los Angeles and meeting the group of students that I would be travelling with for the next 3 weeks, I instantly knew that I was indeed not alone – I am surrounded by the BEST support group.
To start, I just want to say that the students I am travelling with as a part of the Helix project are some of the most amazing intellectuals, and overall people, I have ever met. I’ve only known this group of 12 for less than a week, yet I can truly say that I have been touched by each of them and have developed lasting friendships already.
So here’s how it all happened:
Last Thursday, I flew in Los Angeles with literally every fear in the world. I’m not going to list them all out, but I think I was terrified most of all because I thought I would feel alone on my trip. However, after arriving in Los Angeles and meeting the group of students that I would be travelling with for the next 3 weeks, I instantly knew that I was indeed not alone – I am surrounded by the BEST support group.
To start, I just want to say that the students I am travelling with as a part of the Helix project are some of the most amazing intellectuals, and overall people, I have ever met. I’ve only known this group of 12 for less than a week, yet I can truly say that I have been touched by each of them and have developed lasting friendships already.
My week in LA went by very quickly. I won’t go into all of the details, but between “breaking the ice” games, academic boot camps (I learned basic Polish, Russian, Yiddish, and Lithuanian), a 3 day camping trip, and a TON of meals together, our group was very busy!
Yesterday, our group flew all the way from Los Angeles to Minsk, Belarus, the first stopping point of our trip, and the location from which I am writing today. I am currently sitting in my hotel room, typing away – its 11:30 pm, but who cares about jet lag when I have a blog to write.
The flight was yesterday was extremely long. I flew on 3 different planes, with 2 layovers and after 25 hours of travel, I was literally crying tears of joy when I saw my suitcase appear at the baggage claim when we landed in Minsk. Arriving in Eastern Europe was a bit overwhelming for me, but I was also so so so excited.
The flight was yesterday was extremely long. I flew on 3 different planes, with 2 layovers and after 25 hours of travel, I was literally crying tears of joy when I saw my suitcase appear at the baggage claim when we landed in Minsk. Arriving in Eastern Europe was a bit overwhelming for me, but I was also so so so excited.
Some things that I learned about Minsk, Belarus on this trip have been that:
We also visited the Jewish Museum in Minsk, where I learned about other Jewish figures that lived in Minsk. We then visited a Holocaust memorial in Minsk, and walked through one Minsk’s many forests. In the particular forest we walked through, its been documented that over 600,000 people were shot there before and during the 2nd World War. Most of the people shot were Jews and it was a rattling experience walking through what seemed to me a mass grave.
- Before World War I, Minsk was over 50% Jewish. It and the city of Vilnius, Lithuania were epicenters of Jewish culture and life. It was a place where Jews thrived in an intellectual, spiritual, hardworking community.
- During World War II, 85% of Minsk the city was destroyed by the Nazis. The Nazis burned everything in their trail - homes, religious centers, universities and viciously killed both Jews and Belorussians alike.
- Belarus today has a very small Jewish population, as after the war most remaining Jews moved west. However this small country does not ever forget the affects of WWII and I cannot begin to explain how many monuments they have recounting its shadow. Although Jews do not really live in Minsk, the city educates its students about the Holocaust and celebrates the heroes who stood up for the Jews and acted against Hitler.
We also visited the Jewish Museum in Minsk, where I learned about other Jewish figures that lived in Minsk. We then visited a Holocaust memorial in Minsk, and walked through one Minsk’s many forests. In the particular forest we walked through, its been documented that over 600,000 people were shot there before and during the 2nd World War. Most of the people shot were Jews and it was a rattling experience walking through what seemed to me a mass grave.
One thing that brightened my spirits was a conversation I had with my groups tour guide. Her name is Lucy and her family has lived in Belarus for generations. We spoke alone together for a bit in the forest and she told me that during the 2nd World War, her grandmother was partisan. Her grandmother participated in the active fight in the forests to save people, especially Jews, from Nazi forces. When learning about the Holocaust, it often feels as if the world just shut its eyes, turning away from the Jewish persecution. It was comforting to be reminded that not everyone in Belarus thought the way the Nazi’s did during the war period. It was enlightening to learn about an individual person who did stand up and risk her life to save a fellow human being.
Now, I am sitting in my room, recalling this day with impactful memories I know will last. Eastern Europe is amazing I cannot wait to see what is next in the great journey I have this summer. Thanks so much for reading.
All the best,
Arielle
Now, I am sitting in my room, recalling this day with impactful memories I know will last. Eastern Europe is amazing I cannot wait to see what is next in the great journey I have this summer. Thanks so much for reading.
All the best,
Arielle