the corpse-grinders of berlin - episode 21
The next day was grey. When it came to the time of departure everyone suddenly became concerned about his welfare. They gave him address and telephone numbers to call in Riga if things went bad. In fact he wasn’t feeling the best at this moment. The vodka ritual of the night before had given him the distinct feeling that his head had been pulled off and replaced incorrectly.
He got into the Mercedes with one Dutchman and the Russian driver. For the Dutchman the Slavic show of feelings and companionship was too much. He confessed to the stranger that he was afraid of all the emotions. He was almost shaking. It was unknown territory for the northern European pale-ass. At this moment he understood the irony, that in fact, those who build walls out of fear can function much better in this society than he ever could. In the end it was always the same conclusion though: he was a real shit.
As they approached Riga the driver decided that he wanted to go to a banya. They pulled up to a harbour where there was a black banya- which meant that it was one in the old Russian style. The air by the river was clear and fresh. Back to the shimmering cry of seagulls. Standing at the edge of the docks the seagulls swirled all around him.
The banya was an ancient exotic ritual which bordered on masochism. Red hot stones which carefully rip away the layers of the world. It was here that men of all different backgrounds could meet as equals, all of society and its laws are suspended temporarily in this sweat lodge. There was a mix of criminals (with their huge tattoos), businessmen (with their lack of charisma), workers (with their muscles) and Mafia types (with their big golden chains).
They said the ritual was developed to move the blood, and it included self-flagellation with birch and oak branches. They would all of a sudden start whipping themselves into a frenzy, the branches burning like flames in the ultra hot sauna.
When they were finished the three of them were totally broken, left in a kind of daze where it was even difficult to utter a single word. Of course they finished the entire ritual with a large glass of vodka.
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