mystery

Every day I walk back from the metro station through the Navy base to our hotel. And every day I am mystified by this:


Yes, it's some kind of door into underground tunnels (like a sewer manhole or something).... which always, 24/7, has copious amounts of steam billowing from it.

I mean, seriously, what is going on down there? I've tried and tried to imagine it, but I just can't come up with anything. Giant, terrifying basement laundry facilities? Secret mad scientist labs? Steam-powered generators with amazingly huge leaks in their pipes?

The best, though, is the accompanying sign:


What? You mean I shouldn't enter the BOILING UNDERGROUND WELLSPRING OF DEATH?? Oh, I'm so glad you said something, I was going to jump right in.

I also like that the danger apparently isn't related to the frightening amount of scalding-hot steam which would presumably fill the tunnels. No, the danger is that it's a "confined space." Claustrophobics beware! But the rest of you, just get your permits and climb on in.