Maria Lionza is said to have been born in 1502 to an Indian Chief in the Yaracuy region of Venezuela. Today she is revered throughout the Caribbean by followers of the syncretic cult which is named after her, but artists too find her an irresistably mystical symbol alluding to history, race, and sex. Her painting hangs on the wall of Francisco’s taller in Adícora.

Francisco sees potential for creation and innovation in a wide range of materials: drift wood, shells, seeds, goat skin, even plastic debris. He is speaking with the governor about creating a tallerr, or workshop, that can be used to teach artistic skills to the young people of the area, as well as to showcase the work of other local artisans.

Francisco’s little Taller Arte is guarded by the ever-vigilant Señor Coco, who never sleeps and sees all! Taller means “workshop,” and, as in English, this word can have a range of meanings, such as a place where artisans create, a place where things are fixed, or an event where people get together to work on ideas.

A little spot to build, to create, to listen to the sea, what more do any of us really need? Francisco takes a beautiful public space and makes it his own through conservation, beautification, and an open invitation to all to come, enjoy and treat nature’s work with care and respect.

Artist Francisco from Adícora, Venezuela, tells us about some of the village's history and characteristics as well as his own life experiences and art.

Artist Francisco continues to tell us about his life experiences, this time, during his stay in a self-sustaining community in southern France.

Did you know that Adícora's colorful colonial history includes pirates, the salt and fur trades, and the breeding of donkeys and mules? Let's hear Francisco talk more about the past and present of this fascinating town.

A fishing village like Adícora can be a place of work and industry for locals, but also one of rest and relaxation for travelers. Chober comes from a fishing family and knows the trade, but he recognizes the growing importance of tourism. His generation realizes that the survival of both ways of life necessitates better care of the environment and increased ecological awareness.

Chober and his buddies are building a little club on the beach that is aiming to provide services to beach goers and visitors, while at the same time providing events and opportunites for community members, particularly young people. Like his friend Francisco, Chober is concerned with the environment, and finding uses for discarded materials.

With a difficult subject like math, it really helps to have a friendly, likeable teacher to help you through all the mental gymnastics required, and to give you a boost of confidence when needed. Andrés Valencia is just such a guy! Luckily for us, he agreed to chat!

From the Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid, Luis Matosas speaks to us about his job as a computer science professor. He additionally organizes a seminar on marketing and "personal branding" and explains to us its importance in the current labor market.

After a meeting is cancelled on him at the last minute, a boss and his very efficient assistant sit down together to reschedule it, as well as going over the boss's agenda for the day- both business and personal.

Learn from the girls of "Sin Desperdicio" (Without Waste) about their new campaign for cleaning up the environment. It's called "Not one more bag."

Tour the Pyramids of Teotihuacán, a World Heritage Site within one of the most magical pre-Hispanic cities of Mesoamerica, near modern day Mexico City.

Let's travel to Quito, Ecuador with Cristina to visit El Panecillo, a famous hill and wonderful natural viewpoint guarded by the world's only winged virgin.