Walking through the busy downtown area on Saturday, I ran into a sign that said “Cat Café…4F.” I also ran into the emotion of, yes, I want to check it out and, yes, I really need to see animals again. So, up the stairs I went.
I soon discovered that a cat café is almost exactly what it sounds like, it is a café that has cats. I took off my shoes as demonstrated by all of the unoccupied shoes at the door (I missed the slippers—instead I walked around in my socks). Then I went in the door and was escorted to the window by the caretaker. She told me that it would be 8,000 Won ($8US), but that I would also get a free drink. I chose a Peach Iced tea and went to find my seat. There were about four of five other pairs of people sitting around being quiet. It could also be called an introvert café because it was wonderfully quiet and nobody paid attention to anyone else in the room. I sat down and tried to figure out what to do next.
For a while, I just watched the kitties as they walked around, as people stopped to pet them, and simply began to relax.
The center piece of the room was a larger wooden structure where the cats could climb and find places to rest or play.
The owner also played with the kitties a little, but the kitties mainly just sat around and ignored everyone—as only cats can do!
The store played consistent quiet and calming music for the entire hour that I spent there. I did spend some time reading a chapter of my book, but mostly sat and enjoy the presence of the cats. When it was time to leave and I walked out the door, I truly felt that that was probably the most relaxed I have been in several weeks.