Pedro and I were standing on the edge of the Zuelow lakes bundling brushwood into fascines to strengthen the marshy hiking trail – a century-old tradition and a rather meditative affair – when I said to him: "Tell me, why exactly are you doing this, do you like rambling – I thought it's not cool for youngsters like you?".

The student looked at me as if I'd asked him whether he likes eating guinea pigs. "Rambling – pooh, Armin, that's so old-fashioned. I go hiking!" He then went on to tell me all about functional clothing, the right hiking boots and fitness levels.

But if I understood correctly, the only difference between "hiking" and "rambling" is that now people take a GPS navigation device instead of a hiking stick, an isotonic fitness drink instead of fresh spring water and an iPod instead of a portable radio. Each to their own I suppose, but I like it the traditional way.

People have always been fascinated by being at one with nature and I guess they always will be. No matter what you call it. So it comes as no surprise that 16 youngsters from 10 nations spent three weeks in the sun, rain, wind and calm clearing the "Green Heart" circular trail for hikers as part of the International Work Camp 2008. Through tranquil avenues, past copses, right on the edge of the Zuelow lakes – the trail has become simply picturesque. Of course we at Berlin Airports are supporting such a great activity, especially as it's right next to our BBI. And naturally I have dropped by quite often.

On Saturday, all of my new friends are driving and flying home again. We all aim to meet up again by 2011 at the latest, when the BBI opens. "Hey Armin, then we can hike around the Capital Airport", suggests Pedro, "but you can stick to your old-fashioned rambling if you like."

Wersja drukowana berlin-airport.de (Copyright Berliner Flughäfen)