- A kind of "massage" to your skin.

- Back when soap wasn't invented yet (or not widely used due to high price or something), it would also help clean your skin from all the dirt that had accumulated in hard work outside.

- The "vihta" (also called "vasta" in different parts of Finland) gives also a slight nice odor to the sauna.

- A ritual.

Also it is not really painful like I suggested. The "vihta" is soaked in water for a long time so that it becomes quite soft (mainly the birch leaves), and it wouldn't hurt any more than swatting yourself with a wet towel or something, maybe even less.

Since you can make your own "vihta" from fresh birch leaves only in the summer, I've seen some groceries even selling frozen "vihtas" in the winter.

I think one day I will invent some kind of plastic "vihta" with genuine odorous birch oil and motorized action, and become a billionaire!

Such pics are only for the most trusted friends, sorry.

But hey, if we ever get around to meet, I'll buy you a beer!

If you are opening the bottles with your ass I think I'll just have YooHoo. :P

I think you are full of shit.

The new president of Philipinnes, announced to decorate any civilian with a medal, should said civilian KILL a drug-seller! I am always happy to see some really effective measures, against the REAL threats to society!

Cool, thanks for the explanation bud. Learn something new everyday, and Yeah, the smell of birch *is* nice. I'm more of a hot tub kinda guy my self. I tried the sauna a couple of times, but it's just too hot and claustrophobic for my ass. Also, although I have for the most part, outgrown it, for whatever reason, they tend to cause me to get asthmatic a bit :/

*note: you shouldn't take that poor donkey with you in the sauna, but leave it outside tied to the fence with some fresh grass (or birch leaves) to chew on.

But, but, people in the sauna should be used to seeing bare asses!

Point taken.

He's cute!

Everyone, please rise.

Good Mornin', Mr e.

I dreamed I was posting in this thread the other night about two amazing things that happened to me. I could not remember the amazing things when I woke up. I'm posting about it in case it's like a weird quantum thing where the action happen after the reaction.

I got my first turret upgrade in tankionline! And i can even beat druggers without me using supplies, lol!

Got the final hull upgrade for Nagato on World of Warships,

On my way to Amagi and then finally Yamato herself.