Cork is beautiful

This is our third week in Cork,Ireland. I find this city very clean and beautiful but the weather has been very cold. It is between 5 to 12 degree, at times quite windy and drizzling. The streets are narrow but traffic are not congested and people go about their business quite comfortably judging by their unhurried attitude, even in the busy city streets. Cars would stop and let you cross at padestrian crossings and I did not notice anyone in such a hurry and push each other for dear life, like we used to see in Malaysia.

Cork is the second largest city in Ireland with a population of about 119,143 in 2006. It is one of the largest natural harbour in the world. The city itself is an island where the river Lee runs and branch out at a junction and meet again at the other end of the city like an inlet. Very unusual.

Like most other European cities, the streets and roads are pedestrian friendly which allow wheechair bound citizen to move together with other able bodied citizen.The people are friendly and would greet you with a nice smile.

As it is near Christmas almost every house is decorated and lighted up with beatiful christmas trees at night. As the days are short and the night long at this time of the year, we can see beautiful decorative lights up as early as 5.00pm all through the night. The spirit of Christmas is very much alive here.

The country side is very beautiful too. We can enjoy miles and miles of beautiful undulating country meadows. Large scale farming can still be seen here in abundance.

Shopping complexes are a joy to go, offering up to 50% discounts,but too bad, the exchange rate is not condusive for me to splash my money here. I have to multiply 5 x every time I want to buy anything. But I do not have much choice where food is concern. The rate of inflation here has increased tremendously since I was here 2 years ago

We consume 2 litre of fresh milk everyday costing us 2.16 euro. 1 whole chicken that use to cost us 3.50 two years ago, now cost us 4.50 euro which can last us 2 days. I kg of beef 7.00 Euro. 5 chicken leg which cost us 2.50 euro the last time, now cost us 3.00 euro. Incidently this the favorite food most student here rely on and therefore not surprising to see Zan's housemates(mostyly with student budget) here and Zan himself cooks chicken everyday to go with rice. Bless them!

1 kg rice cost us 1.49 euro. But vegetables and fruits are very fresh. My favourite fruit here is white seedless grapes and of course strawberries.