I’ve finally grown up to be the crazy cat lady foretold by legends.
Remember that time a million years ago when I decided to say, “fuck it” and travel for 3 months? It’s been so long, I barely remember what it’s like to NOT exist in a Groundhog Day (yay, early spring in 2024!) consisting of work, school, sleep, work, school, sleep, work, school… 😵
Anyways, in the more than 13 cities in 8 countries across Western and Central Europe (yes, I’ll keep flexing that), I tend to see 3 recurring phenomena: Dunkin’ Donuts, KPMG, and cats. Funnily enough, every time I see a Dunkin, I usually also find a KPMG building close by. My question is, how is Dunkin’ even in business outside the US, where the standards for coffee is usually higher than piss water?
I said what I said. It’s too late for the US to take back my citizenship.
Anyways, cats. The third thing that I saw a lot of are cats, even when I’m not intentionally seeking them out. Whenever I feel a pang of homesickness, I try to find a cat cafe to spend an hour in to recalibrate. But even without cat cafes, I have spotted so many cats out and about, many in Amsterdam. Yet another reason to move to Amsterdam.
And that’s all this post is about: pictures of the cats I met and the backstories I have invented for them. Enjoy.
(Amsterdam) This fluffy boy was spotted on the street of my Airbnb in De Pijp neighborhood. He’s probably on neighborhood watch and is the sole reason the streets are safe.(Amsterdam) These two fluffs that I’m double fisting are the residents of a cat cafe. The black/white kitty is missing an eye, due to terrible conditions when he was a homeless kitten. But I bet the real story is that he was a pirate in another life, and the orange kitty was his first mate. [photo cred RS](Amsterdam) this little kitty is black as the night and brightened my day more than the sun. I want to get a black cat and name him Salem, like the cat in Sabrina the Teenaged Witch. [photo cred RS](Amsterdam) This guy’s super old and scruffy, but so sweet. I named him Gerry in my head, short for Geriatric. He was just chilling on the sidewalk and reminded me of those old men that sit at the park all day, playing chess with themselves. He can probably beat me at chess… especially since I don’t know how to play chess…(Zandvoort) This guy came with the apartment, so not only did I have a beautiful beach view from my balcony, I also had this little ball of fur. I tried to feed him treats I bought from the store, but he sniffed them then walked away. He’s probably used to fancy homemade treats prepared by his human serfs. I kept my windows open for him to wander despite how chilly it was was.(Berlin) Ok, I realize that this is just a picture of a cat, but it’s so cute. I spotted it peeking at me above the hand dryer in a bathroom at this artist commune I visited.(Vienna) This was at another cat cafe. All the other cats were occupied by other guests, but this cutie pie walked over to hang out at my table. I think she sensed how much I missed my kitties at home.(Granada) One of the Alhambra cats that roam around and are taken care of by the staff that run the compound. You’re basically looking at royalty.(Granada) This cutie with the squeezable tail is one of the greeters at a cave home in Sacromonte. I petted him a little too hard and he got mad. Makes sense, since he’s probably also the security guard of this cave abode.(Granada) A kitty spotted on the rooftop of a Carmen in the Albacìn. Pretty sure he’s a sniper, ready to take out any intruders looking to steal grapes from the garden.(Las Gabias) This is a barn kitty. I was told that there is a fresh litter of kittens on this ranch. I bet this is the baby daddy. He better be paying child support. They offered to send me home with one. Sadly, I had to decline 😭It’s been so long, I don’t remember where I saw this little guy. He looks like an indignant little jerk though, so of course I’m in love with him.(Paris) Doesn’t this kitty look like Sylvie? 😍 Saw this little munchkin when I was caught in a thunderstorm and had to take shelter at a Turkish (?) tea shop.(Paris) More French cats, also known as “chats”. 🥖🇫🇷(Paris) And another one! She was probably cleaning her butt hole a second before I snapped this. Fun fact, “trou du cul” is Français for “butt hole”. You’re welcome.(Edinburgh) This little black fluff was all up in my business when I was on my way to the Sainsbury near KR’s apartment. Did I try to steal him away and bring him home with me? No comment.(London) Vintage and cat in one photo. I like to think that this cat owns the vintage shop and paw-picks every piece.(London) During my last afternoon in London, this little tuxedo wearing fluffy white ankle socks gifted me with his presence.
Yeah, I know this was a bit of a cop out of a post, but I’m only doing this to placate PV and MS. Like a good-for-nothing dad who popped out to get cigarettes 10 years ago, I promise I’ll do better next time.
Cheers!
One thought on “I’ve finally grown up to be the crazy cat lady foretold by legends.”
MS appreciates it!! 😁