What exactly does Soledad care about that fellow’s uncle? And is the former child star really concerned with the girls’ ability to earn a living? Stay tuned…

Gala says she is ill in the guardia of a hospital, but that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. Meanwhile, Majo is intent on interrupting her husband’s enjoyment of a good book.

Cianuro is, as you may have guessed, the Spanish term for “cyanide,” a poison that has long been used to propel dramatic intrigue. In Gabriel García Márquez’ Love in the Time of Cholera, for example, the photographer kills himself with it. Watch closely for the lethal chemistry cameo.

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.

It’s a slow night at Amelia’s little casa de tolerancia. Gloria takes off to see her son, Luchi, and Soledad disappears with young Carlos, who has once again arrived with a pocket full of pesos. Amelia finds that she has an itch in her stockings, and an obliging Raymond is beckoned to scratch it (while the great José Luis Perales once again sets the mood).

Poor Bertolt Brecht should have suffered with Majo’s free version of one of his most well known poems “Ahora Me Llevan a Mí.” Her performance not only disturbed the German playwright’s sleep but also wasn’t delivered to the right audience, was it?

Majo’s theatrical aspirations seem to have been crushed by reality. Meanwhile Gloria is trying without success to balance intimacy and family.

Rabbi Shloime offers us some insight into the origins and significance of the Hanukkah tradition.

Many Latin American countries celebrate the Novena of Aguinaldos, a nine-day, Catholic-based holiday that includes music, food and prayer. Grace Pinzon, a Colombian woman living in Florida, shares with us how the novena is celebrated there.

Cristina talks to us about the "Diablada Pillareña" [Pillaro Dance of the Devils], a popular annual celebration in Pillaro, Ecuador that has been deemed Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Luis Moya, one of the Pillaro "devils" during the famed "Pillaro Dance of the Devils" celebration, gives us some insight into the significance behind some of its most important characters.

Diana Quintana, a Colombian living in Italy, has formulated a special charity project to bring smiles to the faces of underprivileged children in Colombia at Christmas.

Al gusto means, literally, “to the taste,” but in English we usually express this as “to taste.” So Gregoria doesn’t add honey to the avena (oatmeal). She puts it on the side of the plate. The person eating can can put it on al gusto, a little or a lot, however they like it. We often do this with salt, syrup, hot sauce… anything where individual palates vary considerably.

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.

In beautiful Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, the local cooks know their fruit! Let’s drop by the lovely Casa Mar as Gloria prepares a glorious multi-colored fruit salad made with local sandía (watermelon), melón, and plátano (banana). You may soon find yourself blending melon seeds into a delicious horchata.