Canberra: Parliment

It's like a crane game.... from space

Ahh,  Canberra.  located to the west in its own state, the ACT (Australian Capital Terriroty).  If look on the map, this city is an island of sorts in the state of New South Wales.  This also marks my first venture outside of the state.  Anyways, (little background) Canberra was built as a capital city.  I mean, there was no historic reason or monumental significance prior to being a governmental city.  Other than having nice paved roads, this city is well known for having no night life... which was fine, i only went for a day trip anyways to help a friend move.  Anywho, this (to the left) is the parliment building.  Government stuff goes on there.  Also the city has a cool infrastructure.  Similar to Washington D.C., there are straight lines from the 'mound' to other important government buildings and landmarks.  Similar to spokes on a wagon, the parliment building was the nexus of the city.  Well, i'm not one to dilly dally in political issues, but I like to known where government does governmental things.

red room

blue room

 There's a different governmental structure in Australia than the US, both of which I am unfamiliar with.  I have my own opinions about governments, but that might be a discussion filled with frustration and cynicism.

So there I am... just in aw of australian government stuff.  Even though I don't like politics... the interior of the bulding was all marble and steel.  It was kinda weird.  It seemed like a 30's artdeco future building.  word.   Anyways, we wandered around for a bit, but we heard rumors of some pretty cool views at the top (of the mound).  So we got in an elevator (which was a weird one at that) and got to the roof.  The first thing we noticed.. is the grass

It's like memory foam... but for your feet

Oh lord-ie lord-ie LORD.. that grass is lush like no other.  'Organic carpet' as it were to be described.  I think we spent more time admiring the grass, more than the view.  We also heard people used to roll down the hill (side of the parliment has some pretty sweet rolling grass).  But of course we wouldn't do that.  Nah, we were mature adults, besides we had stuff in our pockets.  No way we were gonna do that.... psych.   pretty good roll down.

After a nice afternoon of laying in the grass, it was time to head home and we headed through the exit/ gift shop (btw: the parliment gift shop sells boomerangs and ugg.... just something to think about).  Our relaxed and whimsical journey was at an end... or was it?  Next week, I'll capture the magic, nay the 8th wonder of the world.... Floriade (pronouced: floor e ade')

ye olde gift shoppe