Farewell to the Exhibit Hall

He seemed wistful and a little sad
this Palestininan man
who had traveled to the General Assemblly to set up his wares in the exhibit hall.
Most of his things had been wrapped and carefully packed away when I walked by.
Business was slow in the exhibit hall on wednesday afternoon
everywhere but Cokesbury
where Presbyterians were looking to buy books.
Presbyterians are always looking to buy more books.

The Palestinian was selling gold crosses.
Embedded in them was ancient glass taken from archeological digs in Israel.
They were quite lovely
and at $230 each, a little pricey for my budget.

Presbyterians,
especially the ones who come to General Assembly,
are a frugal lot.
He might have had better luck
with the Episcopalians.

I'm sad to see the exhibit hall close.
Forrest and I would plop ourselves on a park style bench with hot coffee,
and sooner or later,
most everyone we knew here would pass by.

There was great people watching in the exhibit hall
and fresh exposure to interesting organizations.
It was a lovely diversion.