Follow the Cat on Crooked European Roads! Quiz

Answer: Dublin

Toto crossed the Ha'Penny Bridge into a city district called Temple Bar, and went into a pub to get some nice beef and Guinness stew.

As one ginger cat told her, Dublin has been the capital of Ireland since Norman times. When asked, he informed Toto the cat that the shamrock (shown in the picture) was an old symbol of Ireland, representing the Trinity. After some time Toto felt the effects of a lack of fresh air, the additional Guinness (the local dark beer) and the caterwauling of the ginger cat and his cronies. She had a splitting headache. She sneaked out.

With the help of the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) train service she reached the harbor in the suburb Howth. A slight rain set in. Quickly Toto searched for shelter on a yacht. Being a cat she was asleep in a few seconds. Suddenly the yacht started to move. Where would she be next?

Answer: On the Isle of Man

"Really? And you are one of the famous Manx cats, who don't have tails?" The other cat grinned. "Actually, I am a common British shorthair, but one of the motorcycles ran over my tail when the Tourist Trophy race was on. But I'll introduce you to a real Manx".

They jumped on a horse tram (they still have them there) and rode for a short while. The other cat explained to Toto that the island's flag contained a so-called triskelion depicting three legs. They met with the real Manx (shown in the picture) and had a good time on soft cushions munching delicious seafood.

In the next morning they escorted Toto to the island's airport. They smuggled Toto onto a small plane, flying to Great Britain.

Answer: Loch Ness

Toto gaped at the gigantic green creature. But it looked friendly. So she asked: "Are you Nessie, the Loch Ness monster?" Nessie nodded. "Do you have something to eat, I'm a starving cat." Nessie nodded and was gone for a short time. She appeared with a nice portion of Scottish kippers (a smoked fish), just the right thing for a hungry cat.

While Toto was devouring them, Nessie informed her she first made it into the press in 1933. After this Nessie took her on a ride along the loch (which is the Scottish word for a lake), showed her Urquhart Castle and returned the cat safely to the shore. Toto jumped into another coach, this time a Belgian one.

She deduced rightly that this would get her to new interesting places.

Answer: Brussels

So this was Brussels. Leisurely strolling through Brussels, Toto looked at Manneken Pis - a statue of a little boy releasing his own water - and then smuggled herself into the Atomium, a huge building in the shape of an atom. There was a restaurant up there, but Toto thought they wouldn't like a cat dining there.

She went down again. Luckily, she found a fritture and lying on the ground an accidentally-dropped portion of moules-frites. These are mussels and fries (frites, see picture). After this delicious treat Toto felt tired.

There was a caravan with a Dutch number plate close by. As the door was open, she jumped in and made herself comfortable. As usual, she didn't notice when the door was closed and another journey started.

Answer: Tulip

"You are very lucky to come just now," said Henk, the friendly Dutch cat, "It is spring and all the tulips look simply irresistible. Keukenhof is one of the world-wide greatest flower gardens. We here in South-Holland are very proud of this display of our national flower, the tulip." Toto was impressed. And hungry again. So she asked Henk for a bit of Dutch cheese, perhaps a bit Edamer or Gouda? Henk rolled his eyes. "Are you a mouse or a cat? I've got some maatjes for you. That's immature brined herring.

Some fla after this? It's a nice pudding." Toto totally enjoyed the menu. After this, Henk arranged a cozy spot in a car heading to Germany. It wouldn't take long, Henk assured her. Nevertheless, Toto took a nap.

Answer: Cologne

Toto enjoyed Cologne. She jumped on a little train which took her around Cologne. She looked at Cologne Cathedral, a chocolate museum, the river Rhine and a cable car traversing it. She used the latter to visit the zoo and her big feline relatives. After this, she returned to the central station and dined on some left-over Ähzezupp (pea soup), forgotten by a hasty traveller. Toto pondered where to go next.

She checked the platforms and looked for something resembling a long-distance train. The Thalys looked okay to her.

She boarded it and found a hiding place.

Answer: Paris

Mais oui, Paris! Toto behaved like every other tourist in Paris. Notre Dame, Champs Elysees, Moulin Rouge and the Eiffel tower at night (see the picture). And there she met him. The tom-cat of her dreams, Claude. He took her out. First a trip on a boat on the Seine.

After this, they had a fluffy and light crepe - a thin pancake - with ham. But nothing compared to the romantic highlight he promised her: a flight in a real Montgolfier. These were the first hot air balloons, nowadays something used to look down on Paris from above. Being a gentlecat, Claude helped her to climb in first. Suddenly she heard a strange noise. The balloon wasn't attached anymore, something had snapped. Toto looked out- only to see Claude getting smaller and smaller.

She was alone in the sky!

Answer: No

There was a flag attached to the boat, red with a white cross. She recognized it: this was Switzerland. When they landed on shore of Lake Geneva, her two saviors tried to grab her, undoubtedly they wanted to bring her to an animal shelter. No chance, lads.

She wiggled herself free and ran into the streets of Geneva. There she met another cat. A kind cat, but not like Claude. Toto and her new friend visited the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and strolled through the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of the City of Geneva. On their way to the WHO (World Health Organization) they got hold of a jalousie genevoises, a quark pastry. Toto regretted that she wasn't able to buy real Swiss chocolate or a nice watch (picture), but she had no money with her.

Her next trouble was: how to move on? She heard a screeching of wheels. A cabriolet stopped close to the curve. A woman got out. "Quick" hissed the Swiss cat. "I know her, an Italian race car driver. She was on the Geneva motor show and will take you to Italy!" Toto jumped in and hid under a colorful silk scarf.

She wasn't noticed. The car rushed away.

Answer: Gelato

There was a little restaurant close by. They got out and sat down on a little table in front of it. The woman ordered zabaglione - a dessert made of beaten egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine - and a little cup (picture) with a strong coffee named espresso.

She also ordered cake (torta) as a takeaway. Toto got a huge portion of wonderful gelato (picture), real Italian ice cream. After this they drove to Milan. Milan is a city in Northern Italy, known for fashion, a wonderful cathedral and La Scala, a famous Opera house. Toto lost the lady in the busy streets and looked for a new way of transport.

At dawn she stopped and admired the gigantic horse statue named Leonardo's horse, because Leonardo da Vinci had made the design. Suddenly the horse moved.

A hollow voice roared: "Climb up". So she did.

Answer: Greece

Toto told Tiye: "Talking of olives, I'm hungry. Do you have some food?" She had some fried squid, called kalamari.
They sat on the beach and talked about the neighboring countries, Bulgaria and Turkey. Then about Greek mythology, including the king of the Gods, Zeus, and the hero Hercules. At the end they spoke about the famous winged horse, Pegasus. Toto turned around. Her big horse had gone. Suddenly everything faded away...

She heard the loud voice of her so-called owner: "Toto, Toto! My, you can sleep. And your paws moved as if you were traveling while dreaming. Your pan-fried chicken is ready."

And hearing this last sentence, Toto was wide awake and definitely back in Kansas!