Mexico has a rich and varied architectural heritage that can be seen in its many classic colonial era plazas and buildings. The elementos of this historic architecture are preserved and utilized by today’s planners and builders, providing D.F. (Mexico City) with developments that are modern yet traditional and inviting, maintaining a sense of continuity with the past as the country pushes ahead into the 21st century.

Juan is a seller of large garden plants in the fashionable La Condesa neighborhood of Mexico City. Luckily for us, he was willing to tell us a little about his lovely merchandise, most of which grows native in the lush mountains of Oaxaca.

At only the tender age of 43, Ricardo Arjona not only has a street named for him in the town of his birth, Jocotenango, but a wing of the library at his alma mater also bears his name. Needless to say, this former basketball star knows how to rally the hometown crowd. Ricardo filmed this video for his latest hit single, Quien, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Centro de Cultura Casa Lamm is composed of an art gallery, an art school, a cultural center, a bookstore, and, yes, the phenomenal Restaurante Lamm—all housed within a magnificent old mansion in the colonia Roma section of D.F. (Mexico City). Whether you want to sit down for a succulent meal of say, squash blossom lasagna, or just chill late-night with friends in the glass-encased courtyard, you are definitely going to want a fresh fruit margarita at the ready!

Could it be that the “Tu Rock es Votar” campaign resulted in a closer Mexican 2006 election, one that ironically left the youth feeling more disillusioned than ever? Felipe Calderón Hinojosa edged out Andrés Manuel López Obrador by such a thin margin that the losing side demanded a total recount, which was not granted. The ensuing cloud surrounding the election left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Mexicans.

We asked Carli Muñoz if he’d play a few bars of his latest compositions, and, luckily for us, he obliged. One of the tunes, “Portrait of Mia,” was written for his brand-new hija, Mia. We’re wondering if he’ll ever address her as mi’ja.

Quite frankly, it’s not hard to find excellent Mexican food in Mexico City! Yet, we still consider ourselves lucky to have pulled into Fonda Mi Lupita while out foraging along Calle 17 de Mayo. We invite you to join us for a little chat with manager José Luis Calixto Escobar, completamente!

Couldn’t you just go for some refried beans right now? They are great for breakfast, great for lunch, and we’re happy to have them for dinner, not to mention a medianoche snack! Let’s drop in on Gloria as she cooks up a batch for us.

Sure, Natalia has had it rough. A certifiable worldwide hit with Muñeca Brava, a stud actor boyfriend followed by a superstar musician boyfriend, a rising singing career; she’s the kind of girl many mere mortals would love to hate. But… she’s just impossible to dislike!

Carlos is a fine artist and an athlete who, when not painting a canvas, can be found sailing windsurfers and kites from his little guest house on the breezy south beach in Adícora, Venezuela. We asked him if he would give us a little presentation from atop his roof. You can hear for yourself that this spot is all about one thing, el viento!

Tomás’ parents are leaving him all alone for the weekend, and Juan is quick to come up with a plan. Violeta, meanwhile, is cooking up plans of her own, but they don’t involve Mauro—despite his attempts to woo her back with flowers.

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.

Majo’s daliance with a washed-up actor will soon prove to provide her with a little more drama than she’d bargained for. Gloria senses that his role might not be the hero’s but Majo is oblivious. Meanwhile Gala meets one of those cincuentones (guy in his fifities) that Melina has promised her.

¿Qué bolá? That’s ¿Qué pasa? (What’s Up?) in Havana, where your “homeboy” is your “monina,” your “consorte,” or simply ‘asere.’ Here we find musical giants Orishas back in the old barrio of Vedado.

Armando David Ortigosa decided that something needed to be done to motivate the young people of Mexico to participate in its presidential election. He looked north for inspiration, where the “Rock the Vote” campaign used pop stars to try and get young voters to the polls. The Mexican equivalent became known as Tu Rock Es Votar.