A day at the (Beirut) races
The Beirut Hippodrome is a horse racing track next to the national museum. It is located next door to Lebanon's millennia-old history on display at the museum and the country's century-long history of racing dating back to Ottoman Empire. The track is popular with middle-aged men who seek some relief from the chaos of the outside world. Entry for foreigners is free. The fields are normally only five strong. On the day Elliott went there, the field dwindled to three. He was able to get in because he had written in the entry book. His friends were also able. to enter. They were able, because they had already written their names in a nondescript exercise book and were allowed in.
