KYRENIA, Cyprus -- The wail of the muezzin drones from the high balcony of the minaret, down through the cobbled streets to the harbor and out across the water to the massive ramparts of the castle.
The faithful of the northern Cyprus town of Kyrenia have been called to prayer in this way since time immemorial, but the bored-looking waiters don't even register the sounds as they try to attract the few visitors there are to the cafes and bars that line the harbor.
Late autumn is usually a fairly busy time for this Mediterranean island's all-important holiday industry, but this year travelers are staying away from destinations that are -- or are perceived to be -- dangerous following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.