Útilies. It relates to school supplies, including notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, paper, scissors… anything children need to get through the school year. Not a big deal for the middle class, but it can be a serious challenge to those of lesser means. López Obrador made it a campaign promise that útilies would be provided free to all children throughout Mexico, just as he did for the children of Mexico City while he was mayor.

Just, as immigration is a big campaign issue in the US, emigration touches a nerve in Mexico. When Andrés Manuel Lopéz Obrador ran for president of Mexico in 2006, he wanted to make it clear that his goal was to create jobs, in Mexico, so that would-be migrants would feel less need to flee north.

Yabla is in the historic center of Lima, the capital of Peru, on a national holiday and a saint’s day, no less. If you’re going to be stuck in a bit of traffic on a tour, Lima’s famous Plaza de Armas is a great place to be. There’s so much to see: The presidential palace, a 16th century cathedral and more. Come see for yourself.

You shouldn’t be surprised to find these two Italian guys singing in Spanish! There is a huge tradition of Italian singers rocking the pop charts in Latin America. Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini and Nek are some of those ambassadors of Italian pop in the Spanish speaking world!

Marta and her friend Marisa are going to teach us the secrets of a timeless classic of Spanish cuisine: the tortilla española or Spanish omelette. What do we need? How do we make it? Let’s listen to them carefully. It sounds yummy!

This is a song that you don’t want somebody to hear you singing. Trust us! The guys from the Mexican band San Pascualito Rey don’t seem so friendly, but maybe that’s just because they have broken hearts.

In spite of its small size, el ombligo sometimes makes a large impression. Cubiky, a experimental electronica band from Los Angeles, were inspired to write a funky song about it.

Our top reporter stops by Peru’s capital and catches a ride with Ulises, a taxi driver/tourist guide/cop with a thorough knowledge of the city and a great willingness to share it. Ulises takes us to the Rimac area of Lima. Rimac means que habla (“that could speak”) in Quechua, a telling name for this telling ride!

The Krayolas have been around for a long time, and their work, talent and dedication shows in “Little Fox.” We warn you: this song will be stuck in your head for several weeks.

People say that you either love or hate Monterrey rock act Panda. But in spite of some criticism, they have shown that their music is set to last, and that they have the passion to make it happen, as we can see in this live performance.

Far from Minnesota, this Spanish rock act is begging the girl to slow down. A safe thing to do, especially if the girl in question is a taxi driver.

At top of the Mexican Rock’s pyramid is Café Tacuba. Since their breakthrough Re (1994), they have reshaped themselves countless times. Rubén Isaac Albarrán Ortega, their lead singer, has a thing for changing his name. He even puts Diddy to shame! Through the years, he has been known as “Juan,” “Pinche Juan,” “Cosme,” “Masiosare,” “Anónimo,” “Nrü,” “Amparo Tonto Medardo In Lak’ech,” “At Medardo ILK,” “G3,” “Gallo Gasss,” “Élfego Buendía,” “Rita Cantalagua,” “Sizu Yantra,” “Ixaya Mazatzin Tleyótl,” “Ixxi Xoo,” and “Cone Cahuitl.” Enough for an identity crisis!

Aleks Syntek (born: Raúl Alejandro Escajadillo Peña) assumed a last name short for sin teclados (literally, without keyboards), a handle given by a friend from whom he had asked to borrow a synthesizer (looks like he bought a few since then!). This Mexican artist is well known for producing and writing songs for others as well as releasing his own records.

Amparo Sanchez – a singer and guitar player from Spain – is not afraid to mix genres, geographies and influences. On her band Amparanoia’s website, she explains: “My paranoia is music and the idea was to mix rhythms and styles, taking enjoyment from the rumba to ‘ranchera’, or the bolero and ska…” (Of course, Amparo + paranoia = Amparanoia.) Listen to 2006’s “La vida te da” and hear the Afro-Cuban rumba interpreted by this talented Spaniard.

Panda, also known as PXNDX, is a Mexican band located somewhere between punk, indie rock and pop on the musical spectrum. Narcisista por Excelencia was the first single of their 2006 album Amantes Sunt Amentes, “Lovers are crazy”.