Salty Lemons

cat with "evil eye" collar
Istanbul, Turkey from my 2011 archive

September 27, 2011

Two things that I can say with confidence, the Turkish people have a great affection for cats and a strong belief in the "evil eye." Both are seen everywhere. Stray cats are found all over the city, inside and out. You will find them in restaurants, cafés, mosques, museums, embassies, shops, and just about any other place that you can think of (or not think of). And they are welcomed, as I said, Istanbullus have a great affections for cats.

The "evil eye" is also found throughout the city, adorning building fronts, constructions sites, car parks, businesses, etc. The sight of an "evil eye" charm is so abundant that when our hotel, which is still partially under construction, added a small charm over the entrance, it was instantly noticeable. It somehow validated our hotel as a hotel.

Sitting on a bench outside a café, I noticed this lounging cat under a row of small shrubs. It is hard to say whether or not this cat is a stray based on its collar. I would not be surprised to find out that it is a stray. Strays are cared for here so well, to a level I have never witnessed in any other place, that it is perfectly conceivable to think that someone gave it an "evil eye" collar to keep it safe. I like to think it is true, a sweet gesture and an example of the need to protect all that you love.

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