If you find it unusual that a farmer is comparing compensation for his land with the cost of presidential bath linens, you are clearly not aware of the toallagate scandal that rocked Vicente Fox’s administration and led to resignations at Los Pinos. We’re not sure what kind of towel US $400 buys, but it best be pretty darned afelpado is all we can say!

Something that induces lagrimas (tears) is said to be lacrimógeno. So if you were organizing a Festival de cine lacrimógeno, only tear-jerkers would fit the bill. If, on the other hand, you were organizing a protest of the forced seizure of your family’s farm, you might find yourself crying because of the gas lacrimógeno wafting through the air.

Arume studies filmmaking in her native Spain. She talks about what life is like for her now that she has graduated from high school and is out on her own.

Enrique Iglesias discusses his record Cosas del Amor, and calls it the best recording he’s made in his career so far. He also discusses tricks for sneaking cheat notes into an exam and flirts shamelessly with the interviewer.

Muñeca Brava’s Natalia Oreiro came into the world on the 19th of March, 1977, in Montevideo, Uruguay. She showed early signs of being extraordinary, but was also quite a handful for her young parents. Her love of art and showmanship quickly manifested itself, and as a young child she spent hours singing into a tape recorder and along with the radio!!

Natalia reflects on her first real experiences with acting and modeling. As a young girl she was drawn to the stage, performing in many of her high school’s chorus and theatrical productions. Her mature stage presence and passion for the art soon landed her a number of roles in paid advertisements. She was well on her way to becoming a star.

Natalia was quickly growing up. Like most teens, she was anxious to explore the world. At thirteen she began to go out dancing with her best friend, Rosa. Ivan, the high school hunk, was to become her first love.

Winning the Xuxa Paquita contest convinced her to move to Buenos Aires. Unfortunately for Natalia, it wasn’t easy to be sixteen and out on her own. She was lonely, and she struggled, but pride and her fierce ambition kept her from quitting.

The showbiz life can be cruel, even when you’re young, talented and beautiful. Though she came from nearby Uruguay, Natalia’s Argentine peers in their native Buenos Aires weren’t afraid to let her know she was a stranger infringing on their turf.

Pablo Echarri, Argentine heartthrob and television star, describes his earliest years in Buenos Aires. Also we hear from Pablo’s father about his experiences as a new parent for the very first time.

Echarri and his sister grew up without excess wealth, and even a hint of poverty, but they were happy. Circumstances only served to pull the family together and make them stronger.

Pablo’s sister, Roxa, came on the scene when he was seven. Like millions of little children before him, faced with the arrival of a rival, he was none too pleased. Today they are inseparable.

Carolina talks about different accents and styles of speaking Spanish, particularly those found within Spain itself. Carolina is from Andalusia, in the South, and she contrasts her accent and common expressions with those of people from Barcelona and other regions.

For nearly 50 years the Pérez Terradillo family has served vinos and pinchos, wines and snacks. Jose takes us on a tour to see the kitchen and the folks and gear behind the scenes of this celebrated restaurant in Burgos, Casa Pancho.

The verb pinchar means “to prick” or “to poke” and pincho is a spike or a skewer, so it’s not surprising that in the world of tapas (small portions that can be shared) pinchos (also spelled pintxos) either have toothpicks through them or can be eaten off the plate with one.