March of the Living 1999 Diary

April 14, 9:15 AM

I’m probably breaking all the major rules of writing by writing now. One of the major ones is "don’t write unless you have something to write about." But I’m very bored and am probably going to be so for a while, and we won’t be in Lublin for a half-hour. So I’m writing. Sue me. : )

I think I’ll write a few tips as I see them for people who are going on the March in the future. The first is in relation to packing food - do it! Take lots of food for Poland. The best thing I can think of to take (which I don’t have) is a container of peanut butter. Take it with you everywhere, and I guarantee you won’t regret it! Following that, take granola bars or nutra-grain bars, and maybe packaged raisins. I took trail mix and am not eating most of it, so I don’t recommend it. Other good things are instant soups and instant hot chocolate.

Also: film and cameras. Take lots! Take more than you think you’ll need. I took 4 fun-savers, intending to use 2 a week. I was so wrong. I used about a roll already, and that’s only because I’m holding myself back. I know people who have taken 3-4 rolls already.

Another tip that I’ve found (so far) is to ignore what people are telling you about how you’re going to be on the March. Don’t go in with expectations on how to feel or react. Just let it come to you. I know it’s hard, but it will make things easier.

That’s all the space I want to take up, though I know I could go on.

Helpfully (I hope),
Julie