Other People’s Experiences – Carina Berens

Carina is the smiling owner of Cafe Aroma, a favourite place of ours in Playa Blanca. Cafe Aroma does fabulous sandwiches, snacks, cakes and more… and is located in CC Papagayo (the Burger King complex) behind Playa Dorada. She is a regular stop-off for both Alan and myself. I love her hot chocolate – which I believe is the best in the resort.

Happy reading!

What is your name?
Carina Berens

Where are you from originally?
A small town near Cologne in Germany

And where are you now?
I live in Playa Blanca, in the south of Lanzarote

How did you get to Lanzarote?
I first went to Tipperary in Ireland, where I worked as an Office Manager for Ramada Hotels. Then I made the trip to this beautiful island of Lanzarote, and have been here ever since.

Why Lanzarote?
I came with a great friend of mine (Chrischi) who I have been close to for many years. She had suggested Lanzarote as she was already here working as part of an Animacion team in the hotels here.

When was this?
2005

What did you do when you first arrived?
I first worked in the German Cafe on the seafront in Playa Blanca.

What do you do now?
I took over Cafe Aroma in 2008, and we supply snacks, breakfasts, lunches, picnics etc for our customers.

Could you speak Spanish when you arrived?
No, not a word. I did however, obviously speak my Mother tongue of German, and was already fluent in English

And now?
I’m ok. I can converse. I understand most what I am listening to.

Your friends here – where are they from, predominantly?
They are mostly British and Irish, although I do have some German friends too.

Will you stay in Lanzarote?
I like to say that I am staying forever for now. I’m 28, and so still young. The world is my oyster… and I do not yet know where life will take me. I miss Chrischi, as she has moved to the UK now – but I have an abundance of really good friends here. Who knows what the future holds for me.

What, in hindsight, would you have done differently?
I would definitely have learned Spanish before I arrived. I would also have brought more money with me to settle in. You should always plan for tough times, then you have a nestegg to tide you over.

How can we learn more about Cafe Aroma?
I have had a page on Canary Nightlife since I took over the cafe. You can see me here: Cafe Aroma, Playa Blanca

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