Castillo de Chapultepec

I live by a castle!

Yesterday, we went to the Castillo de Chapultepec. It is in the huge park/forest of Chapultepec, right by my house. We went as a class to explore some of the history that took place and is represented there. It's a pretty neat place. It was a military academy, the home of Porfirio Diaz and several other presidents, the home of Maximilian, an Austrian prince who was a ruler in Mexico during the Second Mexican Empire (making the Castillo the only castle in North America that was actually home to a sovereign). Now it's a museum, and the inside is filled with incredible art, and you can go up to the top and look out.

It was stunning. 

A monument outside of the Castillo

The photos below are from the walk up to and in front of the Castillo.

The next mural, on the ceiling, depicts one of the Ninos Heroes. Juan Escutia was one of the young cadets defending the Castillo during the Mexican-American war. He wrapped himself in the Mexican flag and jumped from the building to prevent the Americans from getting it, and is honored among 5 other boys who died defending the Castillo. 

Ninos Heroes 

There are many murals inside of the museum, but I only got to take a few pictures.

The following mural by Siqueiros covers an entire room and my pictures don't do it justice.

Porfirio Diaz surrounded by soldiers, his cientificas, and debauchery

Some key revolutionary figures, and a woman in the front lines representing Mexico

Corpses paving the road

I'm not sure which mural the next one is even from, but I think it's a Rivera one

Miguel Hidalgo and other revolutionary scenes

I will have to go back to the castle. Yesterday, I got very sick. Mexico is at a higher altitude than Atlanta, and it can really affect some people. There is also a lot of contamination in the air. Both Mandy and I have noticed the effects a little bit. It's a lot easier to get winded by just walking up stairs, walking fast, or running. However, when I got to the top of the castle, I got really dizzy and lightheaded. Everybody said it was probably from the altitude then climbing then being up even higher, but it definitely made me miss some good picture taking opportunities.

Luckily, I live super close, so I will get more pictures some other time.

We were treated to a lovely four course lunch by our professor afterwards, and when I got home my host mom got super concerned after she heard that the altitude had made me somewhat sick, and made me soup for dinner which was really sweet. 

We had a lot of homework due today, and I have a presentation tomorrow. I have heard that once we get through the first three weeks, the second two with a different instructor are a lot easier, but so far it is still a whirlwind of work and fun, and exhaustion and excitement.