Cork city, a place that is neither a village nor a city, though it is called Cork City.
A place where you meet the kindness of the locals and their willingness to share it to all willing to receive.
Cork is a place I call my second home, as if stepping into a warm bath after a long day of work. If you are thinking of visiting a big city, then do not go here. Maybe Dublin would be more your thing.
No, in Cork you can find the authentic life of the Irish. A place I enveloped with my heart a long, long time ago and will stay there as long as I live.
Cork, kind people, beautiful nature and nice places to visit. Where people will help you with their hearts, where they are genuinely kind and want to know more about you. Wherein every place you go they are open for a nice chat and wear gentle smiles. That can do nothing more, than warm your heart. My smile is not even gentle, it is big, because this place truly gives me joy.
Let me introduce you to this warm little city by highlighting some places, activities, events that might be fun for you to visit and that you will not find in the regular travel books.
1. Himalaya Yoga Valley Cork City
Of course I start off with my favorite Yoga school of all times. This is a very professional and gentle place to take yoga classes. They have a full range of lessons, very good instructions and instructors. Taking really care of all the people by noting injuries and taking time for you if you have any question. My favorite teacher is Sonya Clifford, so if you ever decide to take a class, I can recommend you her. There are props and mats, and you’ ll get the full Irish bath of kindness. I felt home the moment I stepped into the place, so if you have the time, go there as well. In Summer they have Yoga in the Park on Saturday mornings. To raise money and awareness for the Cork Simon Community, which helps homeless people.
2. MOPTOG: My Own Personal Tour Guide
Is run by my friend Suzanne whom organizes trips to secret gems, and hidden places around County Cork or even further. You’ll visit mostly places around the Wild Atlantic Coast, where you find rough and unspoiled nature. She brings you to sea, cliffs, forest, nature, parks and much much more. By using carpool there is a lower rate of pollution and more fun while going there. There are drivers, cars and passengers. Making it all cozy while meeting new people. Suzanne is an experienced tour guide and holds a degree as a biologist. She’ll tell you about the plants, animals, landscaping and is willing to answer all your questions. So if you want to experience the real Irish landscape, go and take a trip with her. I have been travelling with big tour operators as well, but that was too massive for me. This is the gentle Irish experience in trips you are looking for.
3. Quay Coop Health, Organic & Wholefood Shop
Here you’ll find a big range of all organic produce, actually I think you can find here almost everything that you would like to have if you want to prepare yourself a healthy meal. Even if you are just curious and like beautiful products, just take a look and step inside this store. I guarantee you, you will not leave empty handed (that’s the usual thing to happen to me). They have a small coffee corner as well and a whole area of health products, from supplements to shampoo. All organic and or Fair trade produced. If you have any queries the clerks are more than willing to advise you or help you wherever they can.
4. Flyer wall in the hallway towards Quay Coop Vegetarian Restaurant
To get to the restaurant you pass through a hallway full and full of flyers of services provided by local initiatives. Meditation, healing, yoga, gardening, it is too much I can name now. But so nice to check all the events that take place around the city. If you are looking for something to do, go there and find something that serves your interest. I am sure you’ll find something that will catch your eye. And if you want to promote something yourself, just pin it down on the wall. Here flyers still serve their purpose.
5. Quay Coop Vegetarian Restaurant
If you are getting hungry then take a look upstairs. The vegetarian restaurant has a special early bird price of 6.95 euros for a main plus side dish. There are several options you can choose from; from a nut hamburger, to curries and vegetable lasagna. It is all made vegetarian from mostly organic and local produce. You order at the counter and they serve your food at your table of choice. If you can sit near the window you have as well a nice view over the city. Again very friendly and helpful people here, combined with nice and healthy dishes.
6. Dervish Holistic Center and Book store
You will recognize this building by its purple colour. It consists of a shop on floor level and one up, you’ll find lots of interesting books. The floors above can be rented for therapies, massage and for example Yoga classes. As well here you can find lots of activities that take place in the buiding or in the surrounding area. It is a nice place to go to get inspired and smell all the insence sticks, feel stones et cetera. It is not very big, but they have a big range of goods.
7. The Oliver Plunkett
If you want to and are ready to indulge yourself into the real Irish experience, then take yourself to The Oliver Plunkett. They serve some vegetarian dishes, but to be there will just give you the feel of being in authentic Ireland. They have a lot of bands playing Folk music, which gives it this special atmosphere. The waiters are very friendly as well. I cannot visit Cork without having been to the Oliver Plunkett at least once.
This is just a small range of activities you can undertake in Cork city. Of course there are as well some nice parks and hills where you can walk up-to and enjoy the nature or the views.
For me the places mentioned are some of my most important places to get the real experience. If you want to join other local initiatives or find out what is going on before arriving, I suggest you join Meetup.com. In Ireland this is a very common used platform to present activities around town.
And of course there are many many more nice places, but that is as well something up to you to discover.
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Om Shanti
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