Friday, May 29, 2009

A Loony Aussie Day

The day started at the Healesville Sanctuary. In the beginning of the day we came into an open hospital where they study and help animals. One of the things they do there are autopsies. Today, they had a kangaroo who died on Wednesday from an eye injury. The vet was inside the operating room, but there was a glass wall that I stood behind to watch. The vet pulled the kangaroo out of a plastic bag and placed it on the operating table. The kangaroo was very large, to me. His eye was swollen and dried blood was oozing from it.

The vet started to take the scalpel and slid it across the stomach of the kangaroo and ripped the fur. He pulled the skin and broke into the arteries of the kangaroo. First, he took out the intestine and pulled and tugged it. Then he took out the liver and the spleen. The liver was longer than a human's. Only marsupials have a T-shaped spleen. And last, but not least, he removed the heart...which I think was the most interesting part. I think it was interesting because the heart is the most important part of your body. To see a real live heart was fascinating, and disgusting, all at the same time.

Today we went to the Queen Victoria Market, the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. The Queen Victoria Market has over a thousand different shops. We had one hour to find what we needed before we had to be back to our meeting spot. The first thing we ran for was a warm jacket because we are not expecting how cold it was in Australia. In the midst of running for a jacket I bought four scarfs, a ring, a bracelet, and a hat. We all ran for half an hour to find a warm jacket. We all made a few stops along the way to find gifts to friends and family. Then just-like-that the shopping day was over! We walked back to the hotel that was not too far and that was the end of day three.

6 comments:

  1. WOW.... That must of been very interesting and yucky at the same time, but how great to be watching an autopsy on an animal which must be very similar to human's autopsies. OMG 1 hour for shopping? Don't they know Kennedy is a Diva and needs at least a full day to find the most fashionable things in Australia and start a new trend here in Calabasas? LOL... Take care and hope the weather warms up a bit for you all. Love you lots, Ms. Eva!

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  2. Of course Kennedy-Rue ended up shopping! Nice writing about the autopsy. I felt like I was right there watching. I miss you. We had an adventure at Big Rock Creek, we saw a BEAR, up close! Can't wait to read more of your adventures!
    ML,
    Tasia

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  3. Hi Kennedy
    I am not sure I would have watched the autopsy! The pictures around Alice Springs are amazing - looks like you are having a great time in Cairns - see you in Brisbane

    The Pedwells

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  4. Kennedy,
    What great detail you included. I feel like I was in the room with you. I spoke with your mother about the shopping, Sounds like you did well.
    Testing this week at school. Miss you all!
    Love,
    Ms. Shannon

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  5. hey kennedy whats up please get on iChat

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