THE MYSTERIOUS SPEICHERSTADT

The school was set up in the Speicherstadt four years ago.  At that time I felt as though I was a tourist who had just stumbled across a long hidden historical attraction. Even now after four years, as I walk across the cobbled streets, the feeling remains. There is a certain charm to the Speicherstadt, both during the day and at night; During the day, there is the smell of roasted coffee beans lingering in the air, people scrambling to find a space to park, tourists asking for directions, lorries unloading oriental carpets and film crews shooting the next episode of Tatort!  

At night, it reminds me of a scene from Dickensian London, as the fog descends over the canal and the lights are turned on, projecting eerie figures across the face of the warehouse buildings. It’s at these times that I always find myself glancing over my shoulder to see if there is anyone, or anything,  lurking in the shadows or scurrying away into the darkness of the night!  It’s little wonder that several thrillers have been set in the Speicherstadt.  The Speicherstadt has two sides to it: Mayhem and Mystery!

Ritu Marwaha, Institute4Languages