  It is often stated that homogeneity and isotropy of the Universe are
assumptions of the almost Friedmann-Lema^itre (FL) model (the hot big bang
model), inspired from the Copernican Principle. However, only local homogeneity
and isotropy are required by the model: multiply connected almost FL models are
locally homogeneous and isotropic, but they can be globally anisotropic and/or
globally inhomogeneous. Toy models are used here to show how global anisotropy
and/or global inhomogeneity of an almost FL model could be shown directly in
observations. This approach may avoid having to make any assumptions regarding
global anisotropy and inhomogeneity.
