The Turkish men have beautiful manners. When you thank them a couple of them have put their right hands on their chest and bowed slightly. When they greet older women they take her hand, kiss it and then bring it to their foreheads. Cats and children are adored. We live in a working class neighborhood and I saw a man give some children who ran to him some coins. They ran to us too and I did not know what to do. Cats are all over Sultanahmet and in the parksseemingly homeless but well-fed. There are lots of cat sculptures and figurines for sale as souvenirs. But I guess the cats on the lawn of the Topkapi Palace garden have the best lives of all. They sunbathe on royal lawns lined with tulips. Going into the Chora museum this afternoon I smiled at an old man turning a corner. He acknowledged this greeting with the kindest smile, his right hand on his chest and a slight bow. I was enchanted. I cannot tell you how staggeringly good-looking the men, and the women, are. The men stare as if they would devour you. The masculinity of the men is potent. I have never felt as feminine in any other country. I would have taken more photos of samples of this melting pot and posted them if I had not been afraid of offending them. They are invariably fair with striking features and large eyes and aquiline noses. Combine these beautiful symmetrical features with black hair and you have.........