The Cat Cafe!!!

One of the many things I was looking forward too when moving to South Korea was the famous Cat Cafes that I’d heard so much about. We do actually have one of these in London, but it is quite expensive so I never actually got around to checking it out. However in Korea they are very cheap at only 8,000 won per person, which is about £4 each. This includes a drink of your choice and some food to feed the cats with. You can also stay as long as you like which makes the whole experience feel a lot more relaxed and comfortable.

These specialised Cafes are everywhere in Korea so you never have to go far before finding one. Most of them are quite literally on your door step or just a couple of streets along, which is extremely convenient for those days where you just want some cat company. As you can imagine I was more excited than a kid in a candy store or a camel on hump day, and so off I went with a skip in my step to the nearest Cat Cafe in my area of Beomgye, Anyang. 

  Spot the Cat?!

Cat Room!

When we arrived we were greeted with the sound of approximately 5000 meowing feline's and a smell of cat piss that just wouldn’t quit, which is exactly what it was. However, I soon got over the dreadful smell when I saw the main room where the cats all hung out. We quickly changed our shoes (a tradition pretty much everywhere in Korea, even in the changing rooms in H&M its mandatory) and then placed our belongings in the lockers provided and went on our way.

And then I saw it - the greatest thing I have ever seen before... CATS EVERYWHERE!! There were around 20 different Cats all just chilling out on the chairs and on the tables, in the boxes and on the specially designed Cat obstacle track. They genuinely looked as if they were having the time of their lives, with not a care in the world. Most of them were super friendly and one of them even ran up to greet me as I entered. Bless. If you are a Cat person then you understand what joy these little moth balls bring. It really is unconditional love. 

 So photogenic!

 Poser!!

...I woke up like this!!!

My Iced Latte soon arrived - another thing I love about this country (I swear we don’t have these back home) - and the Cats all excitedly jumped up to sit with me. There I was in pure cat heaven, fully experiencing what I imagine it is like to have 9 glorious lives intact at one time. It was fantastic and there wasn't a better place I’d rather have spent my Saturday afternoon. We were given some small pots of fish that the Cats just went crazy for. I had cats on my arms, in my hair, behind me, in front of me, jumping up on to my feet below...basically coming out of my ear! It was special to say the least. 

  

Dude! 

Just chilling!

There were of course some cats that didn’t even bother coming over. They’re so independent and care free - who can blame them, and so I walked over to many of them to make sure they all got a little bit of food. Suddenly I heard a loud squeal, a cry for help perhaps?! I turned around to see what all the commotion was about...  

...a fight had broken out in the corner of the room between a White Russian cat and a grey fearful looking Tabby Cat. They paused wide-eyed, waiting for the other to make the first move. All the other cats quickly turned around to see what was happening. You could cut the tension with a knife. I'm telling you it was edge of your seat stuff. After what seemed like a lifetime (about 15 seconds) one of them finally moved forward, as the other just hopped away never to forget the rivally between the two breeds. Tabby cat 1: White Russian: 0. A victorious end to an awesome visit at one of Korea's best chill out spots - The Cat Cafe. 

 

All the Cats!

WARNING: Do NOT wear black trousers or any clothes that you care about! The Cats hair literally goes EVERYWHERE...but it is, totally worth it!