Ernest Hemmingway

Ernest Hemmingway spent a considerable amount of time in Key West and his house is now open to the public. His writing studio is set up and preserved as it was when he spent time there writing. It is said that Ernest was a disciplined writer, writing for several hours each morning and then spend the rest of this time entertaining friends and frequenting the local drinking establishments. The current residents of the house are cats, at the moment we were there 45. They are treated very well, private staff veterinarian, full time care takers and gourmet food served up plentifully three times a day. Visitors are asked kindly but sternly to not touch anything, nor to sit on any of the furniture - to prevent wear and tear and maintain the house in good condition.. the cats on the other hand have free reign. These cats are most famous for their paws, polydactyl - ie paws with more than five toes - most of them have at least six, although Greta Garbo has seven toes on her paws.