Chilling With the Quakers

When I say that I am chilling with the Quakers, I pretty much mean exactly that. I admit that I had no experience with Quakers prior to this trip except through what I learned in my history classes. As an American I know that Quakers were not universally accepted in many Christian societies and that Pennsylvania was founded upon this Christian denomination.
After hectic London we traveled to Birmingham, and are staying in a study center run by Quakers. On Wednesday we will learn more about the Quakers, but here is what I've picked up from the few hours I've been here:

• Quakers call everyone "Friend". It's an old, old practice but still feels weird. 
• Simplicity is key. They don't believe in clutter, they don't like photographs of people (paintings they are okay with), and they try to keep things efficient. 
• There is no clergy. They don't like that. Service (which I haven't gone to yet) is completely silent and everyone acts as the clergy (when moved by the Holy Spirit). 
• It's very, very quiet here. It's nice, especially after London. 

So far I'm enjoying my stay here. London, while fun, just beat the crap out of us. I'm looking forward to catching up on David Copperfield (my favorite Dickens novel so far!) and writing more papers before my free weekend to Wales.