Siberia
The five of us around the table said a toast, ‘Na zdorove’, and drank the vodka straight. Down in one. After a mouthful or two, there was another ‘Na zdorove’. A few short breaths and down it went in one again. The fiery liquid delivered a karate chop to the throat, prompting a sharp exhalation of breath. Eating raw vegetables helped ease the shock to the vodka-cleansed stomach. Seeing how they drank vodka left me wondering whether they were actually enjoying the drink, or simply drinking the stuff and stoically enduring the pain. (from "Against the Wind" - Poolbeg Press)
