In Ecodorp Bergen, there is a cat named Moortje. She doesn’t have a specific owner but is our ecovillage cat! Previously, she used to hang out in the Herberg where there are common spaces, but since the ecovillagers started renovating the kitchen there, she has had to reorient herself a bit. In October, she realized that our house is quite nice, and since then, she comes to our house every day around breakfast time. Outside the living room window or kitchen door she stands and meows, letting us know she wants to come in for a visit.
By now, Moortje has learned that she can lick up the leftovers of my yogurt. She jumps into my lap and patiently waits until I have finished eating. Once she has cleaned the bowl, she curls up into a ball and lets out a deep cat sigh. Then she is really happy.
This is the first time in my life that I have a cat in my daily life, and I didn’t think I would grow so attached to this little baby (or beast, depending on who in the house you ask, haha!). I particularly remember one morning a few weeks ago when I was up quite early, earlier than my roommates. I felt strangely sad and empty and found myself longing for Moortje’s company. It actually surprised me that I was missing the comfort and affection of a soft, warm cat of all things. And then she came! I can’t describe how heartwarming it was.
Speaking about the kitchen: it is finally almost done! And I have actually been involved in the renovation myself. One meewerkdag I helped mix loam and fill cavities in the wall with loam and cellulose fibers. At the same time, I had a nice conversation with Eva, one of the ecovillagers. It was one of my favourite workdays!
