Most English speakers have at some time in their lives heard Donovan sing “The Hurdy Gurdy Man,” but how many knew what such a man did? The woman in this video talks about a musical family that used to play the sinfonía, and indeed this is the Spanish name for the hand-crank organ known as a “hurdy gurdy.”

It’s quite possible that El Día de Los Locos, as celebrated in La Vela de Coro, has its roots as far back as the Roman Empire, which celebrated Saturnalia at the same time of year. Both festivals, historically, involve turning the social order on its head, with slaves dressing like their masters.

La Vela is a small town in the state of Falcón, on the northwest coast of Venezuela, where every December 28th Los Locos [“The Crazy Ones”] arrive wearing colorful and elaborated costumes. The whole town becomes a party, with businesses closing and people dancing in the streets. It’s a tradition that could be in any magical realism novel and that desperately struggles to not fall into oblivion.

Let's visit the Ateneo Grand Splendid, a bookstore in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that was formerly a theater and was declared by National Geographic the most beautiful bookstore in the world.

Let's hear some anecdotes and learn a bit more about the history of the Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires' most breathtaking and famous bookstore.

Hostel Veranera in Estepona, Málaga, is a charming hostel that attracts a lot of tourists and digital nomads of all ages due its reasonable prices, communal atmosphere, and Andalusian essence.

Annya shares a bit about her background in flamenco and what she feels makes it unique among other art forms.

Henry Gomez, owner of the "MS Records" recording studio, shares his memories and what a lifetime spent as a music producer in Imbabura, Ecuador means to him.

Sebastián Estebanez is loved throughout the world for his fine work in telenovelas such as Pasiones Prohibidas and Pensionados. Now Marley, the ubiquitous personality of Argentine television, is daring Sebastián to munch on a delicious cockroach, just as Marley himself did while in China.

Factor Fobia is sponsored by Eco de los Andes bottle glacier water. Marley is up in the Andean region of Tunuyán where it is processed and bottled. The show is also sponsered by Aventura Sur, a very interesting adventure travel magazine you definitely want to visit. Extraordinary photos and great reading practice.

When something is distasteful, it’s common to hear qué asco (how disgusting) This is precisely what Marley proclaims as Sebastián chooses a particularly fea cockroach to munch on. Sebastián didn’t in fact, tragar, or swallow, the roach, and we think Marley let him off easy!

The trio Fase is hailed as a pioneer in “tropical electronica”. The wonderfully sweet voice of Alma Velasco helped make this plaintive song a favorite among pop fans on both hemispheres. Excellent electro-pop with simple and very clear lyrics that repeat many key words, super for beginners.

Federico Kauffman Doig began his career at the Museo Rafael Larco Herrera as a security guard. Today he is president of that institution and one of the world’s most respected archeologists, as well as a delightful and engaging speaker! This program originally appeared on Televisión Nacional del Perú as part of the esteemed artistic series, Presencia Cultural.

Federico was something of a wanderer in his early days, and describes himself as having been a “pre-hippy.” His father, intent that his son be something other than a vagabundo, probed Federico for any hint of passion, any calling. “It’s called archeology!” he yelled upon hearing that the young man enjoyed exploring ancient ruins.

If you are not yet a fan of Señor Doig, you don’t have a pulse! His jungle expeditions have led to the discovery of everything from the anatomically-blessed Pinchudos statues to the giant upright mummies found in a site known as Carajía. We’re ready for an expedition!