Last Day in Berlin

This morning we got a later start. It was nice to be able to sleep in a little longer and get some much deserved rest. Our first appointment of the day was at the edge of Berlin - actually I believe we were in Brandenburg - to meet with the new Berlin Brandenburg International Airport. This airport will eventually replace Berlin's three airports (Tegel, into which I flew, Schoenfeld, which was the GDR's airport, and Templehof, which is where the Berlin air lifts took place). It is actually being built at Schoenfeld (much more space there), and is considered to be one of if not the largest construction project in Europe. It was really interesting to see how this airport is being developed. We also got free luggage tags (which helps for me as mine disappeared somewhere between Louisville and DC - probably with my watch) and some gummi airplanes. Yes! We then went out to the observation tower to look at the work being done.
Next it was time for lunch. We stopped in one of the main Turkish neighborhoods of Berlin, where I had organic currywurst and fries with mayonnaise (when in Berlin...). It was a great lunch, and I washed it down with a Mezzo Mix, which is a blend of cola and orange drinks. I then finally got the chance to hit a grocery store, which is my favorite thing to do in foreign countries, and pick up some much needed gummi type items.
Our next meeting was very interesting, and probably something that freak show who made a comment on my last entry could have used. We met with a group that fights right-wing extremism and discrimination within Germany. It was very cool to see the kinds of work that they are doing. They don't focus on the past, yet they find ways to connect the past with today for students in a way that is not old and worn out. It seems that teenagers in Berlin do not connect that closely anymore with what happened during the Holocaust, as they see it to just be part of history. This group wants the students to see how these right-wing groups are using the same styles and techniques of discriminating against others as did the Nazis, and hopefully by making that comparison the students will be better informed and be able to inform others.
We then stopped for a short bit at Alexanderplatz, which is where the demonstrations took place just prior to the Wall being opened. This is the twentieth anniversary of the Wall falling, as I have mentioned before, so Berlin has erected a large and very informative open-air exhibition in the square. It was pretty eye-opening. I picked up a book about it if anyone is interested when I get home.
Our last stop of the day was a dinner cruise. Did you know that Berlin has more water running through it than Venice? We took a three-hour tour with a fantastic dinner spread through downtown Berlin. It was nice to get a final look at all of the places we have visited so far in Berlin. I also had my first and probably last beer in Germany. I have never liked beer, and didn't want to try this one until someone told me that it tasted like a Jolly Rancher and not beer at all. And you know what? They were right. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) this beer is only served in Berlin (Berliner Weiss Rot), so no more for the trip.
I have really enjoyed my stay in Berlin. We are leaving soon for Leipzig and Gotha. More from there!