Going to the Oktoberfest
@All: You all analyzed that last picture very well, took a lot of details that I didn't even realize when making the update. Anyways, nobody pointed to the wrong detail I had in mind. On the last description, I said the right tracks are left for S-Bahn trains. Berlin S-Bahn trains have their power supplied via a third rail, never by overhead catenaries! While on my picture, the catenaries on the right tracks are clearly seen. I confess it was difficult, but after seeing all that details, I'm sure somebody would have noticed this sooner or later.
@Benedict: Thanks! Well, after seeing kelistmac's work with Berlin city, it is a kind of sacred territory for me... 
Also, you're right with the bridge, but I can do nothing about it.
@infamousjbe: Thanks! Wow, you took a lot of details (including that sunken canoe, I guess I messed it up when MMPing the river shore). As for the bridge thing, well, it's just the NAM. I have no control over it. Oh, and BTW... I have been "investigating" about where did I get that buildings, on the description it only appears SC4Labs. I guess they came from one of these cool Japanese sites.
@k50: Thank you for commenting! Well, then I guess my English grammar has still room to improve... 
Today we're not driving but walking!
@agunter999: Thank you! With this detail, however, you're wrong. There are 5 TKmaxx in Berlin city and 1 in Potsdam, or this is what the advertisements covering all the area I live claim.
@Johan_91: Danke sehr!
@ROFLyoshi: Well, it's just changing lakes for canals. It's water after all!
@kelistmac: ¡Gracias! In this case, I just learn from the masters!
@naftixe: Thank you for commeting and for the tip! Yeah, that wall is always a nuisance in my bridges, but still haven't applied your tip on today's update...
Today it's October 3rd, day of German unity. And also, today begins Ihlingen's Oktoberfest!
Lots of cities and towns in Germany have their own Oktoberfests or just popular fests where people go, drink beer and have a good time. Obviously, the most massive and well-known, is Munich's; but there are several others than deserve a visit. Ihlingen's is one of them.
Reaching Ihlingen from Berlin city is a no-brainer using the RE1 line trains.
Ihlingen is the first RE1 stop in the State of Brandenburg after leaving Berlin. We travel through a forest of lodgepole pines, a very common sight in the area.
We pass by the microscopic village of Sigridsdorf, part of Ihlingen's municipality. It has its own tiny S-Bahn station, due to the needs of people from Sigridsdorf to commute to Ihlingen or Berlin everyday. Regional and freight trains bypass the station on the upper tracks at a high speed.
In a short while, we arrive to Ihlingen train station, the town's transport center. It was constructed at the edge of the town during the 19th century. Now, the surrounding area is considered the town's city center, with a very active commercial and administrative life. The water tower is currently a local landmark, a monument to the time when steam trains stopped at this station and had to load their engines to keep their routes along the old Niederschlesisch-Märkische line railroad.
Just like happens in many other towns in the area, like Erkner.
Outside the station, billboards like this remind us where are we heading:
Ihlingen's station front square (Bahnhofsvorplatz) is considered by all the town's center. All banks offices are placed around the concrete square, which boasts a sparkling fountain on its center (except on Winter). Also, very popular cafés and restaurants can be found in the area. Finally, the large grey building in front of the square is Ihlingen's Rathaus, Bürgeramt and Agentur für Arbeit. On it, most of Ihlingen's local administration offices were centralized on year 2004, when this very controversial construction opened its doors.
Time to walk! After Bahnhofsvorplatz, it's time to walk down Kirchstraße. Not too far of the Rathaus, the old Ihlingen's church is found, just in front of Kirchplatz. This plaza was the very first town center, where the old cementery was placed and, where some centuries later, the peasants sold their products. Nowaday's Kirchplatz popularity has decayed, but keeps being the venue for Wednesdays and Saturdays flea markets. We pass by the local police station and the post office in the corner.
Low rises and single-family houses are the backbone of Ihlingen and the outer Berlin suburbs as well. Kirchstraße passes by the public swimming pool and a GDR-era playground after entering in Schwartzkopfsiedlung. Not too far, Karl-Marx-Allee is the road crossing Ihlingen from north to south.
There is a Karl-Marx-Whatever in every single east-German city, town or village.
Schwartzkopfsiedlung is a Plattenbau-based small neighbourhood besides the Ostkanal. It forms the largest Plattenbau buildings concentration in Ihlingen, and houses a large percentage of the town's population. Before the Schwartzkopfsiedlung was erected, the area was occupied by several factories, damaged and defunct after WWII. The walk continues now along the Ostkanal.
District named after the Schwartzkopfsiedlung existing in Wildau (even though it is not a Plattenbau district) and inspired by the Marzahn Plattenbau districts in Berlin.
Again, we have to cross the Ostkanal with that steel bridge, and pass by the Aral gas station.
Five minutes later, we arrive to the Volksbrauerei, the "People's Brewery". This building was the main production site of Schwartzkopfer Pilsner, a very popular local beer during the 70s and 80s. The "Schwarzi" was (almost) the national beer of this part of Brandenburg until the invasion of new brands after the reunification. The company closed its premises, and they were bought by the city hall several years later, with the intention of establishing a kind of civic center for Ihlingen; with plenty of space for cultural activities and fests. It quicly became the "People's Brewery" and the place where the yearly Oktoberfest is held.
Hours go by fast with a Maß of beer on the hand and eating a large Bratwurst with Sauerkraut. It's only the first celebration day and the best of the party is still yet to come. Ein Prosit!
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