Oh fur he’s a jolly good fellow… it’s International Cat Day.
I think you can always judge a person and a society on how they treat their animals.
I was taken on my recent travels in Istanbul by just what a high podium Istanbullers put their cats on.
The Grand Bazaar is an explosion of sights, sounds and colours.
But while I felt prepared for the Turkish dress-up shop, the Turkish delight shops and the rugs and jewellery vendors the book shops were just a little different.
I mean cats really do have the run of these stalls.
But the real Top Cat in Istanbul is Gli who lords it in the Aya Sofya museum.
Yes, Gli has his own official page on the museum’s website which is as it should be as he’s been living there for most of his 14 years.
And it is said that Barack Obama was taken by the majestic moggie when he visited.
Umut Bahceci who runs his Instagram account is the expert on all things Gli whose name means ‘Union of Love.’
Umut told Lonely Planet www.lonelyplanet.com.com that Gli will stand under the Muezzins’ lodge if he wants to be petted .
But if he wants to veg out he goes to the omphalos marble section of the floor.
Gli also likes to chase the light…
In the winter she will stand in front of the projector light that illuminates the nish, the altar, and the minbar, the pulpit because that’s where they warmth is.
In the summer he tends to sit near the windows.
Get out to Istanbul
The Aya Sofya costs just €4 or 30TL to visit and, it is well worth seeing. www.ayasofyamuzesii.com.tr
Turkish Airlines flies 14 times a week from Dublin. to the fabulous new Istanbul Airport and TA’s business lounge is a regular award-winner.
Duration 3 hours 50 minutes. See www.turkishairlines.com or call (01) 5251849.
Return economy class from Dublin to Istanbul costs from €325 (including taxes). Return business class (from €1,035 including taxes).
Happy Cat Day… and here’s our old pal Celtic… let’s hope there’s a spool of wool you can play with up there in cattie heaven.
And here’s my Istanbul review https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/wham-bam-thank-you-hamam/
