Submitted by Emma Smyth on the 2024 Winter ENGL program in Athens, Greece…
I am an animal lover-–especially a cat lover. When I came to Athens, the amount of cats that wandered around the city was shocking! There are so many adorable stray cats everywhere I go. I’ve seen them at the Parthenon, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Agora, near churches, and outside restaurants (pretty much everywhere). Though I am concluding my second week in Athens, I still find myself aweing the cats and wanting to pet every single one of them. Something I noticed with the cat culture in Athens is how well taken care of the strays are. Many of the strays have received vaccinations, citizens leave out food and water outside of homes, and there are even cat shelters placed on the streets. I think the way that Athenians treat the cats speaks volumes of their character and kindness. In the United States, there are not nearly as many stray animals and they are often disregarded as a nuisance. This goes to show the differences in city culture around the world. Meanwhile in Athens, the strays are cared for and considered a part of the city itself. I really admire the subtle signs of kindness that Athens displays, such as the pet bowls and shelters on the sidewalks. Though initially intimidating, it is so heartwarming being in a thoughtful city with such character. And the cats are definitely the cherry on top! (Submitted on January 20, 2024)