I hereby declare this City ...

So, there I was wandering across the Alexanderplatz yesterday afternoon when I happened up upon a gathering of onlookers and a brass band all done up in their most Prussian finery. Experienced as I am with the ways of the Big City, I immediately deduced that some event of import was about to happen, and as a "with it" person I was unable to pass by without taking in the vibes.

Keen observation informed me that the happening-in-progress was the momentous opening of the new City Toilette - and how often do you get the chance to witness such an event? Particularly when the person cutting the ceremonial toilet paper is none other than Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit, resplendent in bright red tie and boyish grin. I stayed around long enough to enjoy a rendition of Berliner Luft, hear the praises sung of Wall AG (the company behind this and 160 other similar establishments sprinkled throughout Berlin) and to snap this exclusive photo of Mr. Wowereit descending into the bowels of the Alexanderplatz for an exclusive guided tour of the €750,000 subterranean structure.

No doubt it's a shining example of its sort, but at 50 cents a "go" (that's almost a whole D-Mark!) I'm glad of my iron bladder and extensive knowledge of more reasonable alternatives.