After reading us his flash fiction story, "Para siempre" [Forever], Carlos offers some insight into the historical backdrop, events, and characters that inspired him.

After shedding some light on the flash fiction genre and providing us with some examples, Carlos finally reads us the piece with which he placed among the finalists at a prominent flash fiction contest in Barcelona. Can you understand any of the meaning behind it?

Let's listen to a couple of examples of flash fiction stories to better understand what this literary genre is all about. Entitled "Destino" [Fate] and "Soñando despierta" [Daydreaming], both pieces received awards at prestigious international flash fiction contests.

In the first part of this series, Carlos introduces us to the characteristics of flash fiction, a literary genre distinguished by its succinctness and ability to capture the reader from the first word to the last.

Historian and guide, Henry Quinteros Marrugo, acquaints us with the history of Cartagena, Colombia, including its numerous invasions and the role of the San Felipe de Barajas fortress.

Many Latin American countries celebrate the Novena of Aguinaldos, a nine-day, Catholic-based holiday that includes music, food and prayer. Grace Pinzon, a Colombian woman living in Florida, shares with us how the novena is celebrated there.

Located in the popular La Candelaria neighborhood, the Chorro de Quevedo Plaza is one of Bogota, Colombia's most renowned tourist attractions and according to one theory, the site of the founding of the city itself. Tourists and locals alike flock there for both its historic and current significance, many hoping to try the famous "chicha," an indigenous fermented corn drink.

“El Cerro de Monserrate” [Monserrate Hill] is a famous Hill in the center of Bogota, Colombia, which is a destination for pilgrimages and home to many tourist attractions, including a church, funicular and aerial cableway. Our host, Edwin Galve, who works bringing people to Monserrate’s several restaurants, tells us about these and more!

Guillermo gives us an in-depth explanation of the manner in which Maya ceremonies were used to welcome the seasons, each of which represented a unique consciousness.

Carlos concludes our tour of Popayan by pointing out several bridges as well as the Pueblito Patojo, a unique area containing miniature replicas of many of the city's most notable monuments.

Guillermo the shaman, an expert in Mayan cosmology, explains the origin of and symbolism behind the Mayan word "chamamán" as well as some other interesting aspects of their belief system.

Carlos takes us on a tour of Tulcan Hill, the most important archaeological site in the city of Popayan, Colombia, as well as some other notable landmarks in the city's center.

Carlos gives us a tour of some of Popayan's most interesting historical and religious attractions.

Carlos closes his series on pre-Columbian America by sharing with us the myth of Bochica, a God thought to be responsible for several natural phenomena.

Carlos takes us to Popayan, Colombia, a city in the country's southwestern Cauca Department. Nicknamed the "White City" for its white-colored structures, Popayan is also well-known worldwide for its historical and religious heritage as well as its famed Holy Week processions.