There are some days that just call for a day out and away from it all.

Which is why Chapultepec Forest or Bosque de Chapultepec here in Mexico City is such a breath of fresh air!

Hey guys, it’s me again, Shelby, and let me tell you, there is definite truth to the old adage that “All work and no play makes Jack (or in this case Jill) a dull girl.”

Ralph is anything but a slave driver.

He is driven however, and we were working our backsides off since we pulled into Mexico City which is why, the first afternoon off, I headed straight for Chapultepec Forest.

Chapultepec Forest is Mexico City’s main park and has the rather dubious history of being the temporary headquarters of the Aztec empire after they migrated to this particular area.

Today the park is truly an oasis in the middle of a hustling and bustling city.

Not only do you find lots of open space and trees! Yeah, I’m a tree hugger, and I mean that literally! Hugging a tree is probably one of the quickest and best ways to unwind that there ever was.

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Hey, laugh if you want, but don’t judge me till you’ve tried it!

Anyway, not only is Chapultepec Forest the location of the current presidential residence here in Mexico City, there is also a former presidential palace, a number of museums as well as the usual assortment of lakes, ponds, walking and bike paths and (are you ready for this one?) a zoo!

Intrigued yet? You should be! Because even though almost every country across the planet has a city park that rivals this one, the unique flavor of Mexico City itself infuses everything about this park making it an adventure in and of itself.

You can pack a picnic and bring the family or treat yourself to lunch at one of the many kiosks that dot the park, or you can take advantage of the many activities such as boat rentals, horse rides, playgrounds (hey, you’re never too old to take a swing!) or simply pull up a bench or picnic table and watch the world go by.

Me, I spent my afternoon wandering through the flower gardens (they have some glorious arrangements here!) and discovering a beautiful little woods where I could actually forget that I was in the middle of a 21st century city.

Of course I had to wander through the zoo as well.

I never miss a zoo if I can help it.

Even if they have the same animals just seeing how each country displays its animals is an education in and of itself!

So even though Mexico City is large and loud and (overall) lacking in large green spaces don’t feel as if you have to go without any touch of Mother Nature at all.

A visit to Chapultepec Forest will cure you of that in no time at all! I know it did for me; I finally feel human again and ready to tackle a new day!

Bye for now!

Love, Shelby (S.O.S.)