The sauna is a common practice in the Nordic countries and the luckiest have a one at home. Esteemed for the long winter evenings but also in summer, the sauna is a place for chatting, relaxation and business. Indeed, it is not uncommon to be invited to the sauna before signing a contract. On equal footing, discussions are going well. Commonly called Pirts in Latvian, sauna requires good preparation. The room is heated between 70 ° and 90 ° C with a wood stove. Two hours is the minimum necessary to achieve the ideal temperature. Once heated, the sauna is ready to receive people.
Naked and provided with a felt cap - that the head does not heat up - I go into the oven. Dry heat is striking and after a few minutes I'm dripping with sweat. But this heat is pleasant, opens pores, the skin is breathing. The whole family joins me and talks are going well.
After ten minutes, it's too hot, I'm going to breathe a little. Now I better understand the mania to go roll around in the snow or plunging into a frozen lake. Unfortunately, these opportunities are not available to me and under the starry sky, I get refreshed with the water jet.
The second session is different: to raise the temperature a few degrees more for a few seconds, we pour water on smoldering stones. Instantly it turns into hot steam and the temperature change is widely felt, particularly for respiration. Eliza, nine, found the right remedy: sit in a tub of water!
After this appetizer and some complementary refreshments, I discovered a tradition linked to the sauna: whipping with dried birch branches. I lie on my stomach and Ediite shakes the branches on my back. As for Turkish baths, it is cold, then warm, hot and cold again. The heat begins to become unbearable. I get out dazed, almost staggering. Even cold water does not lower the temperature of my body and for the first time, my body literally smokes and steams!
Only after several minutes that I'm better and I feel tired: That's the limit when you stayed an hour sat! After a Latvian snack, a good nap is waiting for me to conclude that typical Nordic experience.
