Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
should have turned that thing off.” The mosaics above—Turkish blue and darker Persian
blue—added a harmony and calmness to the atmosphere.
After the service, the cleric was eager to talk with us.
I made a point to view the service as if it were my own church, back in Seattle. I was
struck by the similarities: the too-long sermon, responsive readings, lots of getting up and
getting down, the “passing of the peace” (when everyone greets the people around them),
the convivial atmosphere as people line up to shake the hand of the cleric after the service,
and the fellowship afterwards as everyone hangs out in the courtyard. On our way out,
I shook the hand of the young cleric—he had a short, slight build, a tight white turban,
