Germany : Malachi Clark (Places: Routine & Favorite)

Places: Routine & Favorite

Coincidentally enough, the location that I visit on a daily basis also happens to be my absolute favorite place in Berlin. The infamous Spätkaufen. Directly translating to ‘late buying’, it shares the same purpose as local convenience stores back in the US, but these Spätkaufens, more commonly referred to as Spätis, are much more than just a place where you can buy snacks during class breaks. They are quite honestly the place where all of my abroad-friendships were solidified and they are also the place where a lot of my time is spent after class. In a term coined by one of my closest friends that I’ve made during my time here in the program, Margo, Späti-chilling has been something we’ve done nonstop. There’s absolutely nothing better than all of your friends heading to the Späti after class to decompress and talk about the day. One of my favorite days here in Berlin was my first time spent at the Späti. In a shock to literally everyone involved, we spent hours sitting on a bench, snacking and chatting as the time flew by in what soon became our favorite location and pass time. I MUST thank Margo for pushing all of us to experience this Berlin phenomenon of convenience stores as a hangout spot, it’s truly become something I’ll remember forever and the location that I’ll always connect to when I think about Berlin. Better than any restaurant or lounge space, the Späti has absolutely won our hearts, even if Hot Cheetos are £9.

Malachi Clark

Major: Computer Science and German

Hometown: Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Program: CIEE Berlin Open Campus