6/19/2013

I spent the day exploring Canberra the capital of Australia! I started the morning shopping with Katrine and her mum in one of the large indoor/outdoor shopping centres of the city.  We also had coffee in a cafe in the city. Then I went to Parliament house where I saw the House of Representatives and the Senate.  I miss the tour but I was able to explore by myself.  

I spent 2 hours there and was able to watch both houses in action.  I was a little shocked. At one point the committee chair interrupted a member of the house with a motion to make her shut up.  It was amusing but very rude.  I also went on the roof.  They claim that anything worth seeing in Canberra can be seen from the room of Parliament house. 

 

Once I had finished Parliament house Kat met me and we went back for lunch.  Afterward I ran to the war memorial.  It is absolutely enormous! I spent the afternoon going through memorials of all of the branches of military service for all of the wars that Australia has been involved in.  

At 5pm they have a closing ceremony with bag pipes, drums, and a bugle. 

 

 I ran back in time to have a turkish dinner party with one of Kat's friend's from Canberra.  It was absolutely amazing.  We headed back toward Melbourne late so that we arrived just in time for me to fall asleep.