Hill of the Grasshopper

Chapultepec is essentially the Central Park of Mexico City, where you can rent a paddleboat, hang out and people-watch, or take in the fantastic views from the historic hilltop castle, like this one above. On Sundays all the museum and sites are free, so the park is brimming with local folks and vendors, although sadly for us no dogs.






People on paddleboats (duh).











Do you realize how exotic Sasha looks in this country? I know she's hot, but seriously, people on the street stare at her like she's from another planet. It's like to them she's what Salma Hayek is to us. Or better yet, Charo. Cuchi-cuchi!














Apparently I've gone blind.








A famous quasi-true story from Mexican history is of Los Ninos Heroes, a group of 6 teenage military cadets who stood tall against the invading gringos during the Battle of Chapultepec in 1847. They all fought to the death and legend has it that one wrapped himself in the Mexican tri-color and threw himself off the castle walls in one glorious gesture of patriotism (or lunacy, depending on your point of view).


Anyway, they have this cool monument to the boys on top of the castle and, most impressively, this amazing mural of the final legendary fall:



The best part is, that's a fresco. On the ceiling.