I’ve been meaning to write about Anne Frank Huis forever.
As you may already know, I have been a fan of Anne Franksince childhood. It wasn’t only because of my fascination of all things Jewish, it was more born out of respect of her writing. This poor girl was stashed in hiding for years, and was still able to blossom through her writing. She had a great will to rise above her situation. She was hopeful in the worst of times. And she died in a concentration camp, just before the WWII ended. What a story. And it is still tragic to think that this fabulous writer only had one book published. Just breaks my heart. The first time I went to Europe (2005) we stayed in Amsterdam for about twenty four hours. Those Contiki tours really push you. Needless to say the night was full of debauchery, and the day was dedicated to cultural learning.
Even though I am a huge Van Gogh fan, and a huge diamond fan, I skipped both tours so I could have plenty of time at Anne Frank House, or Huis, as they call it there. It was hard to find, and had a small plate on the door. I remember thinking what a nice tree, and suddenly remembering that “Oh, that was Anne’s tree, the only bit of nature she saw for years.“ Sadly, I just learned from (Sorry for bragging, but it was so cool to know one of my favorite authors/survivors appreciates Anne Frank like I do!) Augusten Burroughs that Amsterdam is cutting down that very tree that Anne loved. Why would they do this? He had a great idea how to preserve it, but just in case he’s planning on moving forward with presenting said idea to Amsterdam, I’m not going to steal his thunder here. Let me just say here that it was brilliant.
You would never recognise the building it if you were just walking down the street, there is only a small subtle plaque that says Anne Frank Huis. It is the white square in the picture above. See what I mean?
You couldn’t photograph anything inside, which of course I respected. (Found this picture on Photobucket, as well as the color one above. The others are my own, of course.) It was sad to see all of her little movie star pictures still hanging on the walls after all these years. All I can remember feeling is the intense heat which was so hot I was having trouble breathing, and I was sobbing so hard that I was actually embarrassed. I was loudly crying and people kept looking at me and giving me “I’m so sorry” eyes and the occasional “Calm down you emotional bitch” eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever been that emotional in public, ever. It was like … I don’t even know, the weirdest feeling ever. It was like I could feel her fear when they were coming up those stairs. Or something like that. The hair on my arms is standing straight up right now, remembering the moment.
The best part of that experience was the gift shop. I picked up the latest edition of The Diary of a Young Girl by Ann Frank, and to my surprise, it was the original version of her diary. The book I read as a child, and the movie I saw many years ago were based on Otto Frank’s edited version of the diary. The REAL diary was much more racier and edgy. I spent the next three days on my tour bus semi-crying and learning the real story of Anne. I mean, it was intense. I can’t BELIEVE how much better this version was. You can order it for yourself if you are interested:
http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?PID=614&LID=2
Also, I’ve just been trolling the Anne Frank website and I’m happy to report that not only did they remodel, but they added air conditioning. If you ever want to go to a fascinating museum, go here.
http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=3&lid=2
And let me share a few cool facts on found on their website:
- Miep Gies, the lady who helped Anne and her family and friends turned 100 years old this past February.
- The museum opened in 1960, and they had 9,000 visitors. Last year they had 999,000 people through the doors.
- I found this post on their online guest book, where children of the world go to learn about her. Also, before I post it, I just have to say how cool it is to be a child in the age of the internet. Learning for kids now is so much more than what I had growing up. Anyway, here it is: On Last friday my teacher read out the story of Anne Frank-I was shocked. I never knew how cruel and evil some people could be!! But on the other hand I was very interested-I wanted to find out more! When I did I was so gobsmacked! I think Anne Frank must have been the kindest girl ever for saying all those nice things even though these people were killing so many other people!
It amazes me that to this day her writing has such an effect on children and adults all over the world. Please, go visit the website, read the book, talk about the Holocaust with someone.
And finally I twist my heart round again, so that the bad is on the outside and the good is on the inside, and keep on trying to find a way of becoming what I would so like to be, and could be, if there weren’t any other people living in the world – Anne Frank
I just bought her book last weekend after wanting to read it again for awhile now. I have only read it once, when my 5th grade teacher recommended it to me. That has been many years ago. I will have to check out the original version…didn’t notice if the one I bought was edited or not. Also bought Pride and Prejudice…have never read Jane Austen books, but became intrigued after watching Becoming Jane. Have a great weekend!
By: mandy on May 29, 2009
at 11:31 PM
Mandy – If you read it in fifth grade I am sure it was the edited version. Check out the new one … and I am so happy to hear you bought P & P, it is my favorite Jane Austin book!
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on May 31, 2009
at 12:28 PM
Wow what a great experience. I hope that one day I will be able to visit. Another very good place to visit is the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, here is the web link http://www.museumoftolerance.com/site/c.juLVJ8MRKtH/b.1580483/k.BE32/Home.htm, I found myself just bawling throughout most of the tour, at one point in the tour you are led into a room to watch a video, and when the lights are turned on you realize that you are in a replica of a gas chamber!!!, I learned so much that day. The one part of the tour that was the hardest for me was when you first arrived you were given a card, much like a plastic credit card, but on the card was a picture of a child and his or her information, and at the end of the tour you placed the card into a reader, and that is when you found out if that child that you had been carrying around had lived or died. It was so heart wrenching.
By: Calamity on May 30, 2009
at 1:57 AM
Calamity – Yes, Amsterdam is definatly a great place to visit. So beautiful, I had no idea there were so many canals. We have a fantastic Holocaust Museum here in MI. It is in W. Bloomfield and while we don’t have the cards, we have poles full of people’s survival stories that are posted. And a train car you stand in, although your gas chamber sounds more scary.
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on May 31, 2009
at 6:43 PM
Aw how nice to visit your blog and see my Amsterdam here first thing! <3
I visited the Anne Frank Huis when I was a tourist here in 1998, but would you believe since moving here I haven't been back! Embarrassing to admit that. But it's on the list, if only I can beat the tourists there one morning- the lines are insane!
By: Amanda Blog and Kiss on May 30, 2009
at 9:27 AM
Amanda – I found it very interesting that I posted this, went to Jen’s page, and then yours to visit the first time to find out that you were from there! Life is funny like that. I went in the afternoon and walked right in, but it was in August, when it was hotter than hell in all of Europe. Go back, it seems like the updates and air conditioning should make it more interesting. How long have you lived in Amsterdam, and are you a student or working there? Tell me more, I’m fascinated.
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on May 31, 2009
at 6:47 PM
Came as a student but now working here! Been here for 4 years and planning on staying much longer!
I’ll let you know if I get back to the Anne Frank House soon. My goal to do so before the summer is over.
By: Amanda Blog and Kiss on June 4, 2009
at 7:40 AM
Amanda – How interesting. I feel as an American I’d love to work overseas, to get to know other cultures, etc. Good for you. And i hope you get there soon.
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on June 4, 2009
at 11:31 AM
I’ve read that book so many times and I cry each time. What an experience to visit where she lived. I guess it’s time to read the book again.
By: joanharvest on May 30, 2009
at 12:21 PM
Joan – It really was fantastic. Not everyone can get there, but go visit the website. And, yes, read the new book, it is very interesting to see what was left out the first time.
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on May 31, 2009
at 6:58 PM
The diary of Anne Frank is my 12 year old daughter’s favorite book. When I told her about the possibilty of them removing the tree she teared up and said NO that’s not fair. Thank you for posting the info on this, I’ve added this book to my list of books to re-read. I havent read it since i was a little girl.
By: MB on May 30, 2009
at 7:50 PM
MB – Oh, I’m sorry to pass along the bad news. And I am thrilled that she loves the book. It was such a different experience to read the more adult Anne as an adult. Please find the new and honest version if you can.
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on May 31, 2009
at 7:03 PM
I only read the book for school when I had to. You know me, I’m not a reader(thus the headaches and such.) I remember you telling me about the experience and all I kept thinking was, “Amy never cries.” So I knew it was very moving. I think it is just a museum you could not miss if you went to visit there…and that’s ANYONE!
By: The Big A on May 31, 2009
at 5:26 AM
Ange – I know, that headache thing really screws you over. There are so many good books to read and I’m sad that you’ll never read them. Without a doubt, her home was the saddest thing I’ve ever experienced. And, you know my life, it is full of sadness and scary things. So many people on my tour bus opted for other museums and all I kept thinking in my head was “Really, the Heinekin Museum over Anne Frank?”
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on May 31, 2009
at 7:16 PM
Why would they cut that tree down?!
She was such a beautiful writer, I always wonder what could have been…sigh.
By: Wendy on May 31, 2009
at 10:45 AM
Wendy – It made me sick to hear it! I can’t imagine the effect her survival would have had on all of us. Even though we all wished she had lived, her death has taught us so much. The education I see on the website alone is amazing. I’m sure many kids have no idea about the Holocaust until they read her book. But yes, I agree, I can’t even imagine what Anne Frank as a survivor and beloved writer would have been …
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on May 31, 2009
at 7:23 PM
I’ve read the book a couple of times, but I need to check out this unedited version. There was a phase in my life where I read as many Holocaust books as I could get my hands on, Number the Stars, Night, and Assignment Rescue still stick out in my memory.
The first time I went to Washington DC when I was 11 we went to the Holocaust museum, but I only got halfway through before I asked my parents to leave. I remember walking into one of the video rooms there and the video was talking about how German officers used to use Jewish infants as target practice on the field after they rounded up groups of Jews. I was so disturbed by that, I had to get out of there. I think now as an adult I could take the whole museum experience but as a child it was way too overwhelming.
By: Jen512 on May 31, 2009
at 4:03 PM
Number the Stars! I have always remembered a specific scene from that book but never recalled the name of it! As soon as I read that title in your comment I knew it was the same book! Thanks for that!
By: Amanda Blog and Kiss on May 31, 2009
at 5:36 PM
Jen 512 – I’ve been to DC a few times and have never been there. Always something else to do, and I desperately want to go there. Damn, I would not like hearing that about the babies either. I would love to read those books you mentioned. I have this weird problem for a few years now where I can’t read for weeks or a month or two at a time, because I get all blurry double vision when I read. (Stupid eye problems, I have permanent blurry spots on my corneas and the retina tears on my left eyeball.) So, by the time I add these books to my long list, I bet I’ll never get to them.
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on May 31, 2009
at 7:35 PM
Aw, that sucks about the vision, I can’t imagine. Books on tape? I love those especially for long drives.
Amanda- You’re welcome! It’s a wonderful book, I love the scenes near the end where they’re trying to smuggle themselves from Denmark (?) on sailboat. Damn, I really need to read that book again, it’s been about 10 years…
By: Jen512 on June 1, 2009
at 12:55 PM
Jen 512 – I need to buy one. I have a cd in my car for fibromyalgia and I can never get into it. My drives aren’t that long. Worries me to try a novel. Would take forever.
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on June 2, 2009
at 11:39 PM
CDs work outside the car too!
By: Jen512 on June 4, 2009
at 12:39 PM
Anne, you were beautiful and you will always be remembered.
By: efrafandays on September 8, 2009
at 6:21 PM
What?
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on June 4, 2009
at 6:09 PM