From Quito, Ecuador, Julia invites us into her home to share a delicious breakfast including cheese toast, fruit, tomato juice, and delicious mountain grown coffee.

Darwin takes us on a tour of the Guayllabamba Zoo, a refuge for wild animals that were trafficked or domesticated illegally. In this first part, he'll show us the areas for felines, monkeys, and birds.

In part two of Darwin's tour of the Guayllabamba Zoo, a refuge for wild animals that have been victims of illegal trafficking or domestication, he focuses on the aviary, the herpetarium, and the farm, among other areas for fascinating exotic animals.

Marriage and children bring with them needs and responsiblities that a soltero doesn’t have. Rafael hopes to grow his small pharmacy into a cadena of drug stores that he can use to benefit his wife and kids. To raise the necessary capital, Rafael is working abroad for a few years.

Wicoy: como una calabaza pequeña, tal vez 15 cm de diametro, verde y blanco y es mucho mas fino que la calabaza. Para comer es parecido a un zucchetthi/zucchini. Bastante rico. (Thank you to Guatesol for info!) Rafael relates facts and myths of the natural environment in his native land.

Our friend, Rafael, returns this week to talk to us about his homeland and its culture. As he explains, the Mayan culture continues to thrive in Guatemala via its language, clothing, and customs.

In Guatemala, people of Mayan descent not only retain various native forms of dress, but they also speak dialects of the Mayan language, a language many people wrongly presume to be long lost to history. Rafael treats us to some examples of words and phrases in this language, and also explains some of the particulars of traditional dress.

Ramón Hernández Barajas was born to paint. Take a tour of his studio while he discusses his work and his “armchair” philosophy of painting.

Come see what's on the easel of painter Ramón Hernández-Barajas. His new painting features a beautiful gypsy woman dancing barefoot in a full skirt. Look closely at the colors and textures, and hear what the artist himself has to say.

Ramón Hernandez-Barajas, professional painter, tells us about his paintings, from composition to technique. One thing is obvious, even if it’s left unsaid: he loves to paint!

We chat a little longer with Tijuana painter Ramón Hernández Barajas and we learn even more about his beautiful paintings. El Maestro is trying to change the face of Tijuana into a more cultural and artistic city.

Raquel meets Marisa and Marisa meets Raquel. In this video, we get a handy look at introductions, the very beginnings of every social experience!

Raquel and Marisa give us tips on how to make a reservation at a restaurant in Spanish.

In this episode, Raquel and Marisa teach us how to make a reservation at a hotel in Spanish.

Raquel and Marisa teach you Spanish vocabulary that could come in handy when purchasing a train ticket.