I'm in Istanbul this week, where I am quite possibly the tallest woman in the city--I haven't seen anyone close in four days here! It's Ramadan, which means that half the city fasts all day, and the hunger, I think, extenuates the curiosity. Staring is a matter of course. (Though, a significant genius percentage of the population stays up all night eating happily at a local festival, and then sleeps all day, waking up just in time to nosh again at sundown. And they too stare.)

The only Turkish phrases I know? "Thank you very much," and "I know! I think you're kinda short."

Tallness aside, anyone have any suggestions for fun activities that Istanbul's tallest woman should try out? Shoot me an email at arianne [at] ariannecohen.com.