Tuesday morning at 11am the luggage was delivered intact. The "miseries of travel" chapter has thus concluded for this adventure.
A visit to the Dohany synagogue is on my list of "52 by 53". When I get home I will be able to cross it off. That is where we went today.
One of my patients about 5 years ago was a holocaust survivor. He met his wife in the ghetto in Poland. When the camps were liberated at the end of WWII he was given a bicycle by an american soldier and he rode all over until he found his wife who was in a different camp. They were re-united and eventually moved to America. Each day on rounds he would share bits of his story. Hearing the small details in his deep, rich, accented voice really touched me.
The synagogue was beautiful but what I really wanted to see was this.
The tree of life. A sculpture of a willow tree. Each leaf inscribed with the name of a holocaust victim.
Along the back wall of this area were alcoves labeled for victims. They were filled with small stones.
We learned the story of Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat to Hungary who saved many Jews by issuing them Swedish passports. When the soviets arrived in 1945 and liberated the city he was arrested and eventually executed. He is remembered as well along with others who helped save Jewish lives. "Whoever saves one Life - Saves the Entire World".
Impossible to leave here unmoved. Isaac you were with me today.
This is so profoundly poignant. Thank you for keeping the truth alive. We must never forget. This is a beautiful tribute.
Posted by: Leslie J. Moran | 08/25/2011 at 07:57 AM
Yay for the luggage - and what a wonderful story. It's so hard to grasp what happened and so heartening to see this kind of memorial.
Posted by: jeanette, mistress of longears | 08/25/2011 at 09:06 AM
I was going to leave a "yippie-ey-oo" comment about your luggage, but as I read further, I was at a loss for words. That willow tree... those leaves .. amazing and hauntingly beautiful.
Posted by: Pat P | 08/25/2011 at 09:17 AM
Wonderful, powerful story. Very moved by the tree sculpture.
Posted by: Judy H. | 08/25/2011 at 09:30 AM
Tree sculpture. One of the most beautiful tributes I can imagine. Isaac would be proud of your post. Keep telling the story...that's the important thing.
Remembering.
Posted by: Lisa Hoffman | 08/25/2011 at 10:11 AM
I have goose bumps. Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful sculpture! Willows, I think, are the most beautiful of all trees. It looks like, maybe, a Weeping Willow; how appropriate.
Posted by: Chelsy | 08/25/2011 at 10:41 AM
Thank you so much for showing us this beautiful tribute to all those lost in the holocaust. So very touching. My eyes filled with tears while reading it.
Susan
Posted by: Susan | 08/25/2011 at 11:13 AM
I did not know of this memorial. It is ethereally beautiful and I hope to see it in person someday.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Michel Murphy | 08/25/2011 at 11:38 AM
I too am deeply moved, both by Isaac's story and by this memorial. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Cynthia of Cynful Creations | 08/25/2011 at 12:26 PM
thank you so much, your words and photos touched a deep and true place.....
Posted by: Susie LaFond | 08/25/2011 at 12:42 PM
well you made me cry, just beautiful!!!!!!! i had never heard of the tree or the story about the Swedish diplomat, very moving! and your friend with the bicycle! such deep love. thanks for sharing.
Posted by: julie macneil | 08/25/2011 at 03:10 PM
Thank you for sharing this story.... so touching! Being a nurse myself... there are a few special people who touch our hearts and we never forget... so wonderful for you to honor his memory in this very special way.......
Hugs, Emie
Posted by: Emie | 08/25/2011 at 04:01 PM
Carol, thank you so much for sharing that story, I am finding it hard to find the words to describe my reaction to the sculpture - it is truly breathtaking. I am delighted you will now be able to enjoy the rest of your holiday without having to 'wash your smalls' every evening :)
Posted by: Gill M | 08/25/2011 at 04:43 PM
I am overwhelmed by this story. Thanks so much sharing it. Please say hi to Mary Ann for me and tell her we miss her at FTB and ROD. Hope you both have a ton of fun.
Posted by: Nancy Lynn | 08/25/2011 at 05:20 PM
A very touching story and the memorial...no words, just tears.
I'm glad your luggage arrived, you might have reeked by the end of your journey, sister would not have been pleased.
Posted by: Joan | 08/25/2011 at 06:09 PM
Very neat tribute, very moving. Glad your luggage found you!
Posted by: Megan | 08/25/2011 at 07:37 PM
Very touching story. (So glad you got your luggage safe and sound!)
Posted by: robin cox walsh | 08/25/2011 at 09:21 PM
INSPIRING post! Thank you for sharing the remarkable story of your patient and his journey. Your photos gave me goosebumps.
Posted by: Michele Unger | 08/26/2011 at 12:14 AM
I am so moved by your report, Carol. My thoughts on seeing your luggage safely in Budapest were the same as Pat P's - relief and pleasure that you have your personal things now.
The memorial is utterly beautiful and you have given those suffering people a wonderful tribute. Thank you.
Posted by: Chrissy | 08/26/2011 at 11:07 AM
My heart be still. Thank you for sharing the story and images of the memorial site. What a place of solace they have created for an unimaginable atrocity. And what a lovely tribute you created through your images and words. I am so touched.
Posted by: Angela | 08/26/2011 at 04:41 PM
Can imagine how powerful this place must be through your post. Tree of Life and Stone Alcove gave me goosebumps.
Posted by: Corky | 08/27/2011 at 06:21 PM
Amazing post and as I sit here with tears in my eyes can only imagine how it would of been to stand there in person to actually see the names on each leaf.
Posted by: Sherry Eckblad | 08/28/2011 at 08:15 AM