It seems like it has become a tradition on the Amideast blog to photograph the cats (بسة/ بسس) of Jordan and Morocco. I am a huge cat person and during this semester I have sincerely missed my cats back at home. In fact, when I Facetime my family I always ask them to show me the cats. While the street cats of Jordan certainly do not live like my house cats, I have come to realize that they are happy living on the streets and scavenging for food. They really are living their best life. While it is advised to not touch street cats, sometimes they might approach you. Just make sure you wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after you are done. If you want to feed the street cats, you can find small bags of cat food in some cafes. You can pay a small donation and then grab a few bags to feed to hungry street cats you encounter.

The following photos are part of an extensive collection of cat portraits I have captured this semester. I have also included some recommendations of where to play with safe and healthy cats and where to buy cat merchandise in Amman, so read until the end if you are also a cat person.

Admiring the Citadel and Umayyad Palace

I took this photo in Jabal Amman near Wild Jordan, and it’s one of my favorite pictures that I have taken during my time in Jordan. Every single time I come to wild Jordan this cat greets me. Even the cats can’t help but stop and admire جبل القلعة or the Citadel.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

A cat surveys her kingdom in Jabal Amman

Stopping to admire and photograph cats reminds me to slow down and be in the moment. I took a few minutes during my walk in Jabal Amman to just stop and admire this cat surveying her kingdom. I have no idea how she got on top of this wall, but she was very content up there, and there was no chance she was coming down to say hello.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Darat Al-Fanun Cats

As an art history major and art lover, one of my favorite places in Amman is Darat-Al Fanun, a beautiful art gallery in Al-Webdai. As a cat lover, one of my favorite places in Amman is also Darat Al-Fanun because everywhere you look there are cats. The art gallery takes good care of the local cats by placing fresh food and water bowls all over the gardens. Art and cats. Is there anything more you can ask for?

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Shoe Cat

I know I said this before, but perhaps this is my favorite cat photo from Jordan. I took this photo in Wast Al-Balad one day and had to stop and talk to the shopkeeper. I asked him how much he was charging for the cat, and he said 5 dinars. That’s a deal if you ask me.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Cat admiring street art

The steps leading from Wast-Al Balad to Al-Webdai are exhausting, but the many cats I meet on this journey make the dozens of steps all worth it. Lots of cats congregate in this area, and I can’t help but think they are also admiring the beautiful street art.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Nymphaeum Cat

One of my favorite things about Jordan has been seeing cats who claim historical sites as their home. Here a cat has claimed the nearly 2,000-year-old Nymphaeum as her home.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

A Praying Kitten

On social media there are hundreds of videos of cats attacking prayer rugs and jumping on people as they pray. It turns out this is a universal cat instinct because I witnessed the same thing outside a cafe one day. Apparently, prayer mats make great toys.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Jordan Museum Cat

I stayed until closing at the Jordanian Museum one day and just so happened to meet and photograph this sweet cat. The museum is her home, and all the employees know her. I felt like she was posing just for me in this photo.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Our Amideast Cat

We found an abandoned house cat one day at Amideast and fostered it for a few days before finding a shelter that would take her. The poor cat was starving and begging for attention. She made herself at home in the Amideast lounge and received constant love and attention. Snuggling with her was a great way to end a full day of classes.

Photo credit: Shihabi, 2022.

While some Jordanian cats might be extremely friendly, it is advised not to touch street cats. If you do end up petting them (like I did a few times), then wash your hands immediately. If your host family does not have any pets and you are homesick for your pets, then there are places you can go to play with safe and clean cats and cuddle them. One of my favorite places in Amman is “Cat Jungle.” It is located in Khalda, which is a bit of a hike from Amideast, but it is worth it. This center adopts cats and then allows people to come and play with them. You pay for the amount of time you end up staying in the room. I usually pay around 6-7 JD for one hour. Cat Jungle is a great way to destress after a long week and a great language partner activity.

Cats in the Jungle

Cat Jungle has an entire layer of trees and ropes above your head that the cats love to jump around and play in. It is called “Cat Jungle” for a reason.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Sleepy Munckin

If this sleepy cat is not adorable, then I have no idea what is. Amidst lots of visitors and children running around and at least 25 other cats, this guy happened to be sleeping, and I had to get his portrait.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Feeding Frenzy

Cat Jungle is quite literally a cat jungle. There are cats everywhere you look constantly vying for your attention. You have to be careful where you are stepping, especially if you have treats. You might notice that everyone has blue coverings on our shoes. Cat Jungle requires all visitors to put them on while playing with the cats to reduce the dirt and germs that the cats are exposed to from outside.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

If you like cats, there’s also another place you need to visit in Amman: Watan in Jabal Amman. Watan is a store that celebrates Palestinian arts and culture. They sell beautiful artwork, stickers, shirts, jewelry keychains, and postcards that also happen to feature cats! Watan uses cats as a symbol of Palestinian resilience and identity. The cats depicted on the artwork are the local cats that live at the store, and if you visit near the evening (when the food gets put out!) you might also happen to meet the models! The staff are also so incredibly nice at this store.

Catfiyyeh

How can you not love this little guy? What is cuter than a cat in a Keffiyeh?

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

More Cats in Keffiyehs

Watan prints cats with keffiyehs on just about everything, from mugs to shirts to stickers to cards, and even this beautiful poster. I could not resist this amazing poster and had to buy it to take back for my room in the U.S.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Visitors arriving at Watan for dinner

Right as the sun starts to set, the cats start arriving at Watan. Some of them even come into the store asking for food. If you are there at the right time, the staff might even let you help feed them.

Photo credit: Makosky, 2022.

Xenia Makosky is a student from Dickinson College participating on Amideast’s Area and Arabic Language Studies program in Amman, Jordan in Fall 2022.