arrived at Australia's Parliament House. This is an amazing place especially the way that it was built. The site where they wanted to build the new building was on top of a little hill and all but one architect wanted to build a grand building on top of the hill. The winner decided that the hill should be removed, the building built, and then the dirt placed back around. They wanted to allow the citizens the opportunity to stand on top of the government and overlook them instead of the other way around. Up until Sept. 11, you could actually enter the building by walking up the front, standing above one of the two chambers, and then taking an elevator down. But now you must enter on the ground floor level with the chambers (notice the chambers are not elevated at all). After departing the Parliament House, we went to the Frech Embassy which was OK but nothing too impressive.We started Friday off not as early this time (8:40) and went to the National Zoo. This was probably one of my favorite times. Never thought that I would enjoy a zoo again but I did get to feed some of the animals (giraffe and tiger) as well as play with a dingo and hold a snake. I decided that I am going to have a dingo when I get older. I mean they are so friendly (except maybe to rabbits), not to mention,
they don't give off an odor like other dogs so you never have the dog smell. Somehow I became addicted to watching this monkey mess around. I stood in the same spot and watched it for about 20 minutes -- I need one of those too. From there, we went to the Botanic Gardens. What fun! Next we went to CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization). This was alright. It is where most non medical research happens in Australia -- well, there are actually 20-30 of these places around Australia doing scientific things. After here, we went to the Mexican Embassy. Talk about a nothing place. There was basically no security here other than the gate surrounding the building. I mean at least the French Embassy had key cards and such to access most parts but the inside of this Embassy looked like an office. Just movable walls dividing up the areas and no guards.Saturday came a little later with a 9:30 start and a departure to the Australia National
Museum. This was interesting as it gave me a better understanding of what this nation is about. Although I know very little about its history, this did help. And just like White man was mean to the Native Americans, white man has been mean to the Aboriginal people of Australia. We then went to the National Gallery. I still wonder how somethings are considered art. I mean there was a thing on the floor that had a bunch of rocks lined up in rows and then there was a white canvas hanging on the wall. I mean white, WOW, that must have been hard to complete. At least the one next to it was white but also had a curve to it. Now that is Art!!Sunday Morning came early once again with an 8:30 departure. We got to visit the Australian War Memorial and Museum. This was an amazing place to see all the things that Australia has been involved with while only being a county for 106 years. After the war memorial we went to the Old Bus Depot which is just a market place and had lunch as well as time to spend looking at what was offered for sell. There were some cool things but I didn't buy anything because of having to get it home. Finally we departed about 1:15 and got back to Sydney about 6. Good trip.
One of the amazing things about the
city is that it is a "planned city" and one of the things is there is a straight line that runs from the past to the future. It starts at the War memorial, follows a path to the Old Parliament House and if you open the middle doors, it runs straight through the building and on up to New Parliament House. This building also has the ability to open all the middle doors so you can see straight through and at the back of the house is where bills are given the Royal Approval from the Queen which will determine the future of Australia. So with all the doors open, you can stand at the back of New Parliament and see into the past through Old Parliament and to the War Memorial or the other way around.Now I just have a couple more days of class before I depart for Fiji early Thursday morning!!
To see more pictures go to these links:
http://richmond.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2030519&l=d1441&id=15803950
http://richmond.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2030520&l=caa5a&id=15803950
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