Essay by

2026-05-12T12:17:01.245Z

My husband and I purchased our home in Guanajuato, Mexico, two decades ago.
We reside there for roughly half the year.
Constant walking there has kept me fit, and I now speak fluent Spanish.

Just weeks ago, my husband embarked on a three-hour trek to Cruz Azul hill, overlooking Guanajuato, the vibrant Mexican city where we spend half our time. We simply secured our door and set off on foot. The joy of reaching such trails in just 20 minutes without a vehicle or public transport highlights one of countless wellness perks of our life in Guanajuato.

This Lifestyle Boosts My Physical Fitness

Our centrally located home means we venture out multiple times daily. We own no car and prefer it that way. Guanajuato's terraced row houses lack garages or driveways, and parking is costly, so car ownership is rare. Relying solely on walking keeps us active amid the city's lively energy.

Whether heading to markets, friends' homes, yoga sessions, concerts, or Spanish lessons, I always walk - and relish every step. Guanajuato's streets pulse with activity. On pedestrian paths, mariachi tunes fill the air as I pass stalls offering tamales, fresh fruit slices, and grilled corn. Often, I spot the colorfully attired estudiantinas - student musicians in traditional garb - hawking tickets for their nightly neighborhood serenades.

Walking benefits the body universally, but at Guanajuato's 7,000-foot altitude, it intensifies the workout, enhancing heart health by demanding more oxygen. My first day back always reminds me, as my body readjusts.

Guanajuato's terrain is rugged, with over 3,000 narrow, twisting, steep alleys. I adore exploring them, occasionally losing my way due to my shaky direction sense. No concern arises - a familiar sight soon reorients me. Research even shows that occasional disorientation sharpens the brain's navigation centers, aiding mental agility.

At home, I train with kettlebells and a stability ball. Three mornings weekly, I hike 25 minutes to yoga, conducted in Spanish - toning both physique and cognition.

It Sharpens My Mind As Well

Two decades of Spanish immersion have rendered me fluent, errors notwithstanding. My weekly tutor refines my grammar, unpacks endless Mexican idioms, and deciphers local customs.

Adapting to a foreign culture exercises the mind. Recently, I consulted my tutor on etiquette: Mexicans favor formal titles more than Americans, prioritizing respect.

When I queried my yoga instructor about using "Maestra" or her name "Yolanda," she opted for the latter. Logical, given my seniority. Yet, seeing classmates use her title in our WhatsApp chat left me uneasy. My tutor proposed "Maestra Yola" - a perfect formal-casual hybrid. Subtle nuances abound!

Expat life not only hones cognition but elevates emotional resilience. A friend, once battling depression, noted, "Fretting over Spanish subjunctives eclipses the blues."

During my father's passing, patio drills on sounds - like the gentle English t bridging to para ti and the rolling Spanish r and rr - distracted from sorrow, fostering focus.

Twenty years ago, buying in Guanajuato felt right for my husband Barry and me, unaware it would sustain our vitality into later years. At 83 and 74, we deem it our wisest choice.