Rec on the NEC

So, you might ask, what do people do for fun around this place?

First of all, fun is relative concept. We are 6,500 miles from home, it is hot as Hades, the air quality usually sucks and the work day is 14 hours. Skipping out of the office to the exchange for a candy bar might be the highlight of any given day.

But while it might be necessary from time to time, it will never be sufficient. We are human, we adapt. No amount of heat nor any level of choking dust gets in the way of a planned barbecue. The exchange carries charcoal and a variety of meats and we go to the dining facility for all the sides we want. As good as the chow in the dining facility is, it's never as good as burning meat on the grill (vegetarian opinions excepted, of course).

Grilling, as well as every other known outdoor activity here, is accompanied by the smoking of cigars. The primary reason for this is the prohibition against drinking alcohol, clearly spelled out in paragraph 3.c. of General Order Number One. So if you really are searching for a buzz, get the strongest cigars you can find and smoke until your head swims.

The leadership of my organization tends to gather every Saturday night, which is our "weekend" because we sleep in on Sunday and only work 10 hours, for an agricultural meeting. The crop is tobacco and about two hours of study is sufficent to declare success and retire for the night.

There are outdoor tennis courts and a basketball court, but not a lot of takers right now. Something about a dark playing surface and 105 degree weather tends to limit interest. There is a small playing field that draws a lot of interest from the soccer crowd, most notably the large contingent of Peruvian security guards. There are two gyms with plenty of iron to toss around and machines of every description to abuse yourself with. There is an indoor pool, some pool and ping-pong tables, and a sort of Internet cafe.

There are a number of other pursuits also prohibited by General Order Number One, but most folks wouldn't admit to those activities even if they were allowed. Thus, fun has its limitations. But we never give up trying.