
Live like a local. Many travelers set this goal, but what is the best way of actually achieving it?
Our experience in San Luis Potosí has been transformed by meeting Lilia, her teenage son Ivan, and their wider circle of friends and 4×4 community. They’ve given us insight into where and where not to go, explained cultural nuances, and taken us to places we never would’ve found on our own.
I would argue that living like a local is far more than finding the right mercados and tiendas (markets and shops), or staying in the right neighborhood. One aspect we’ve struggled with during our past five years of full-time travel is finding places to volunteer–when we’re only in one place for two weeks at most.

Lilia and her Nauhales Off Road 4×4 Club enriched our lives today by inviting us into their community service–that more important aspect of living like a local.
Marveling at La Joya Honda Crater
We left the city of San Luis Potosí this morning and drove an hour to La Joya Honda. After going through the small village of Purisima, we arrived at the crater. This was the sight-seeing portion of our day together. Low-lying clouds whispered over the crater as the wind whipped our hair. Ivan practiced parkour on the abandoned cement columns, while the rest of us wondered how three small cars made it up a road we’d consider 4×4 only. (I called them the dog ladies, as they had at least 8 dogs between them.)

“Godi,” the owner of the third Jeep in our party and past-president of Nauhales, told Eric and me about the mystery surrounding the crater. He pointed out native plants–some that are smashed to make rope, and others that bloom brilliantly in March and April. Despite the cold, I was grateful for this remote place and its beauty.
Meeting the People of Purisima Village in La Joya
But I have to admit I was eager to get back to the purpose of our day–delivering donated toys, blankets, and food to a community that could use them. We retraced our steps to Purisima. It was deserted, except for two small boys playing on a cement basketball court at (what seemed to be) the center of the village.

“Soldados!” the three-year-old exclaimed as he took a few steps back. He was worried we were soldiers in our big Jeeps. I think everyone was less concerned about our intentions when two-year-old Caspian burst from the constraints of his car seat, unabashedly asking to ride the boys’ wheeled toys.

It didn’t take long for word of our arrival to spread. The children appeared from every direction, along with their mothers and grandmothers. One father approached, and I ended up conversing with him most because his English was far better than my Spanish.
Our time on the basketball court blurred and hummed with happiness. The garbage bags filled with goodies came down from the roof of Godi’s Jeep. It felt like Christmas again, with so many stuffed animals, action figures, and candy being spread around. Eric handed out two-dollar bills, which we had purposely requested from our bank stateside.

There were two stand-out toys that had to be distributed fairly: a pink scooter and a pogo stick. I devised a simple game by laying three hula hoops on the ground. The competing children (girls for the scooter, boys for the pogo) had to run figure-8s around the hula hoops, return the same way, and tag Eric first to win.

The races were adorable. I’m not sure the boys knew exactly what to do with the pogo stick (Ivan tried to demonstrate), but I sure loved watching that little girl in the purple jacket ride her scooter.
Meanwhile, Caspian had completely absconded with the tricycle. And the tricycle owner’s dog, a long-haired Chihuahua named Tyson, was content to ride in the back of the tricycle–to Caspian’s utter delight. Every time Tyson jumped out, Caspian would chase him and (try to) carry him back to the tricycle. I think most of the town took turns pushing Caspian on that tricycle.


We received far beyond what we gave. The people of the village were so genuine and kind. The father I mentioned–his name was unusual to me so I regret I can’t remember it–kindly told me that his home is our home whenever we return. His mother brought out a bag heaping with the most delicious tamales, along with drinks, cups, and napkins. Another woman told us to come the next week, and she’d make gorditas for us.
Beauty, beauty, beauty.

It’s hard to believe our time in the state of San Luis Potosí is more than half over (I will write more about our time here). I’m not ready to leave, and already know this is a place we’ll return to.
-B
What an awesome experience you all are having. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you Debbie! So much more to come! Appreciate you joining us virtually!
Ditto to the other comments, I get excited when I see your posts pop up! What an awesome journey of enlightenment you are on!
Aww, thanks so much Jackie! So glad you are staying up to date with us. We’re truly blessed!
You guys are the best! Thanks to sharing with us thes best part of been part of the jeep community…. helping other …. #Nahual63 #Nahualesoffroad4x4
We loved spending time with you and your son and friends. Thank you Lilia for being such a sweet guide here in Mexico! Appreciate your heart for others and for the community that surrounds you.
Stories like this warm my heart. So nice that you are able to offer service to others during your travels. How rewarding! Much love to you all. ?❤
Honestly the blessing was ours. The people here in Mexico have been nothing but amazing and kind to us.
Loved reading about your experience With these sweet people! Thank you for taking us along on your wonderful adventures. We are living vicariously through y’all! Fun and safe travels, our beautiful friends!
Thank you for joining us Shawn! Just wait until you read the article that Brittany just finished now on Living Like A Local in San Luis Potosi. It’s going to make you want to come down…
I am soo filled with admiration for your family! Exploring, sharing and connecting to show the world what the real Viva Mexico! and her people are about. Gracias con todo mi corazon!
So many people (especially those who haven’t been) are quick to say negative things about this wonderful country. Believe me, we heard it from many folks before we came down. We hope that our articles offer a little insight into what it is truly like. We aren’t sugar coating anything, we’re being transparent in everything we write. So far this trip has been incredible. We’re not even half way through, and even though we don’t anticipate the trip being challenge free, we have been floored by the kindness and hospitality of everyone we’ve met thus far. Viva Mexico!