It’s another hot night in St Pauli. Even without World Cup fever raising temperatures and other things, most nights are sizzling in this party district of sex shops, nightclubs and prostitutes.
Inside the packed restaurants are giant television screens showing every match. Tonight it’s Brazil. Or is it Germany? It hardly seems to matter, just a different set of people strolling the streets, waving flags and honking horns.
Visitors from around the world are flocking to the entertainment district of the northern German city of Hamburg where the Beatles discovered the style and sound that excited a generation.
A monument on a side street recalls the 1960’s Star Club where the Beatles played, just down the street from Grossen Freiheit 36, where more modern stars have played for more than 20 years.
But it’s the sex and neon that steal the eyes these days. Store windows have scantily clad mannequins in suggestive poses surrounded by footballs in a nod to the World Cup, but it’s mainly business as usual.
And business is booming. Prostitution is legal in Germany. With thousands of visitors in every city for the 32-nation football festival, the next month offers a chance for brisk global trade.
Just down from the large corner police station, outside a McDonald’s, is a row of women wearing all manner of seductive outfits, faux farm girls and tennis stars leaving so little and yet so much to the imagination.
Many of them inquire if visitors would like to come away with them. From kilt-clad curious to those reveling in World Cup victory or trying to console a loss, the sidewalk is busy.
”Why not? Just 30 to watch,” says a halter-topped, tight-shorted blonde.
Touching costs more along the Reeperbahn, the street of brothels where visits by women and boys (under 18) are forbidden. Tall metal walls on either end of the street keep out traffic and unwelcome guests.
A faded sign lays out the rules. But a group of Hispanic visitors do not notice the signs, strolling along the street with women.
Bikini-clad women from inside the windows quickly let the newcomers know that competition of any feminine kind is not welcome along this street. The women depart. The men stroll through.
The Anchor and The Other Place, bars at one end of the street, are showing the World Cup. But most nights there are less than a handful of people watching the match alongside the entrance to the department store of sexy women.
Those seeking sport glory look elsewhere in St Pauli, which is home to a gritty football club with a cult following. But in this area, fantasies of a different sort are on display.
Within the gates, conversations take place. Business is transacted. In the spirit of the World Cup motto, friends are made.
A dominatrix chats on a phone awaiting her next call. Achtung, baby. Don’t fear the Reeperbahn.
Out the other side, signs for the SV Hamburg Bundesliga club proclaim this the official path of supporters. A few people crowd around a sports bar. People are spilling out into the streets.
The day’s final World Cup match is over. But the night has just started and the matchmaking is far from done. – Sapa-AFP