We rode bikes in Berlin today which is the fastest way to get around in this city. They have fabulous paths. Ran into the gay parade, and took some photos.
Friday we visited the Reichstag, where German parliament does business. Very impressive architecture with a "transparency" theme, and an environmentally progressive cone to suck up the politicians' hot air and recycle it. They produce 14% of the electricity for the building that way. It was designed by Lord Nelson Taylor, who designed the new Bejing airport. The first politician who spoke to us was a Christian Democrat who told us he visited America, (Clinton, Iowa) on an exchange program when he was 17 years old and had a wonderful experience that shaped his life.
"You get to see your country through the eyes of others. In politics, anyone who can not do that should not be in politics." He still visits his "American brother" who now lives in Cleveland.
Rainer took us to the most wonderful live performance last night in Berlin, at a theatre called "Chameleon." It was a cross between a Cirque de Soleil and variety show, with 6 amazingly talented people. One man did a very fast and dangerous dance inside a metal ring that was stunning.
We have our farewell dinner tonight and tomorrow everyone either goes home, or like me, gets on with their work project. I'll be going to meet a videographer at the Munich airport, rent a car and drive to a little town called Donaueschingen, to catch up with some Cincinnati public school students on the last day of their exchange program. I want to get there in time to see the big final soccer match between Germany and Spain.
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