~~Awake again. Another morning after having the same nightmare. One missed step on the ladder and then the fall. Is the arm broken? Will a whimper later in the day be heard by the workers in the warehouse below?
The church bells sound so close, and yet they are a world away. Life has been reduced to an incarceration of 4 walls and as many rooms. The luxury of movement or personal space are but illusions. The faces all broadcast messages of fear and despair, but none of those expressions bear the fruit of an exchange of words. Today’s activity shall once again be limited to the odd chore of interpreting the sounds immenating from an alternate universe.
The repetitive thought is silent, but expectedly persistent. Is today the day this secret annex will be discovered?~~
Those are not the words of Anne herself, but I couldn’t help but imagine the thoughts that flowed through her head each day, especially during the voluminous hours when a single noise could lead to arrest and execution. Touring the Anne Frank House is not so much an activity as it is an experience.
Anne was repeatedly reprimanded for being a chatterbox in the classroom, and the transition following her sentence to an exile of daily silence was abrupt.
The irony is inescapable that this small refuge maintained its secrecy and avoided detection for 2 years, but now has as many as 1 million visitors a year from around the world.
Reservations are required and can only be obtained at www.annefrank.org.
All photography following the 30 minute orientation is prohibited and only hushed and limited words are exchanged in what can only be described as a solemn environment. The number, grade, and narrow nature of the stairs and ladders make touring the home inaccessible for those with mobility concerns.
Your visit will take approximately 2 hours and don’t be surprised if you find yourself in deep and inspired conversations after you’ve departed.
And that’s…Henry’s Take.
#annefrank
Anne Frank House
Westermarkt 20
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 556 71 05
www.annefrank.org
