Intermediate Spanish Stories

On July 20, 2002, a catastrophic fire occurred at the Utopía discotheque in Lima, Peru, resulting in the deaths of 29 people and injuring dozens more.  The tragedy is remembered as one of the most significant safety failures in recent Peruvian history.Cause of the Fire: The blaze began around 3:15 a.m. during a "Zoo" themed party. A bartender performing a fire-juggling or fire-eating act inadvertently ignited the ceiling's acoustic foam.The nightclub was operating without a license and lacked basic safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, alarms, and sprinklers.While the venue was designed for approximately 450 people, an estimated 1,000 patrons were inside at the time of the fire.Many guests initially believed the flames were part of the show. When the lights went out, a stampede occurred toward poorly marked or locked emergency exits. As part of the theme, live animals from a circus—including a lion and a Bengal tiger—were inside the club; both animals died from smoke inhalation. Most of the victims were young adults, many from prominent local families, who died from asphyxiation. The tragedy led to significant legal battles and a complete overhaul of safety regulations for entertainment establishments in Peru. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, exceeding those of Saudi Arabia. In the 1970s, the country was extremely wealthy because of its oil industry and was often called “Saudi Venezuela.” After the oil industry was nationalized in 1976, the state company PDVSA, Petróleos de Venezuela, Sociedad Anónima, became one of the most powerful energy corporations in the world.However, political decisions in the early 2000s dramatically changed the industry. During a major political conflict in 2002, President Hugo Chávez dismissed thousands of experienced engineers, geologists, and managers from PDVSA. These experts were responsible for maintaining and operating a complex oil system, especially because Venezuelan crude is very heavy and difficult to refine.Over time, lack of investment, poor management, and deteriorating infrastructure caused oil production to collapse. Production fell from about 3.7 million barrels per day to a small fraction of that amount. Refineries stopped working properly, pipelines deteriorated, and the country eventually faced severe gasoline shortages.The result was a historical paradox: the nation with the world's largest oil reserves began struggling to produce sufficient gasoline for its own people.Venezuela’s story illustrates a powerful lesson — natural resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Strong institutions, expertise, and responsible governance are essential to transform natural wealth into long-term national prosperity.Sources:https://www.economies.com/commodities/oil-news/why-venezuelas-vast-oil-wealth-failed-to-prevent-its-collapse-48081https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2026/01/venezuela-oil-perspectiveshttps://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-oil-refiners-win-chinese-rivals-lose-trumps-venezuela-strike-2026-01-04/https://www.eia.gov/international/content/analysis/countries_long/Venezuela/Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The Falkland Islands War (April 2–June 14, 1982) was a 74-day undeclared conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom over sovereignty of the South Atlantic islands. Following Argentina's invasion on April 2, a British task force reclaimed the territory, resulting in 649 Argentine and 255 British military deaths.Argentina (referring to them as Islas Malvinas) claimed the islands, while Britain had maintained control since 1833.Argentina invaded on April 2, 1982. The UK, led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, dispatched a naval task force on April 5, 1982. The war lasted for 74 days, with intense fighting in the air, at sea, and on land.During the 1982 Falklands War, Peru provided significant, covert military support to Argentina, acting as its most active regional ally. President Fernando Belaúnde offered total support, supplying 10 Mirage M-5P fighter-bombers, along with ammunition, missiles, and long-range fuel tanks. Peruvian personnel also helped train Argentine forces on war planes.  Peru tried to act as a mediator early in the conflict, but after the sinking of the ARA General Belgrano, it moved to active support.The support was driven by strong "Latin American solidarity" sentiment.The war ended with the surrender of Argentine forces on June 14, 1982, returning the islands to British control.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Omayra Sánchez was a 13-year-old girl who was tragically trapped for almost three days under the debris of her home after the 1985 eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia. Despite rescue efforts and media coverage, her legs were hopelessly pinned, and rescue workers could not reach her with the necessary equipment to free her without amputating her legs. After approximately 60 hours, she died from complications, likely a heart attack, gangrene, or hypothermia.Her story became a global symbol of the disaster and the failures in the official response, and a photo of her by Frank Fournier won the World Press Photo of the Year in 1986. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The captivity of marine mammals such as orcas, dolphins, sea lions, and belugas has been the subject of intense debate in recent decades. Although initially justified on the grounds of education, conservation, and entertainment, multiple scientific studies have demonstrated that confining these species generates profound negative consequences. These effects are not limited to the individual well-being of the animals but also impact ecology, the health of ecosystems, and the ethical perception of our relationship with nature.The movie “Free Willy,” which premiered on July 16, 1993, brought this issue to the public's attention, transforming a fictional story into a global call to question the legitimacy of captivity. Its protagonist, the orca Keiko, went from movie star to living symbol of the fight for freedom, awakening a collective consciousness that still fuels the debate about respect and dignity for marine life.The public demanded Keiko's actual release, as it was contradictory that the “star” of a film about freedom should remain in captivity.On July 11, 2002, Keiko was officially released off the coast of Iceland, in the same place where he had been captured 23 years earlier, becoming the first—and only—captive orca to return to its natural habitat.     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *In captivity, tanks represent only a tiny fraction of their natural habitat. Restricted space, lack of environmental stimuli, and forced separation of social structures generate chronic stress and psychological disorders in captive marine mammals.Captivity imposes a series of unnatural conditions that impact the health of marine mammals, such as confinement in chemically treated water can cause skin problems.Instead of hunting, they are fed dead fish and vitamin supplements, which do not satisfy their natural stimulation needs.However, there are strong arguments in favor of this practice when managed under strict regulations and with a focus on animal welfare, education, research, and conservation. A crucial function of marine rehabilitation centers is the rescue and rehabilitation of injured, sick, or stranded animals. And in cases where animals cannot survive in the wild due to serious injuries or human dependency, captivity offers a permanent shelter, safe and stable.Keiko's legacy reminds us that freedom cannot be replicated in a tank and that, if we truly wish to conserve these species, we must do so in the only setting capable of sustaining them: the open sea.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

 The Holy Inquisition was established in 1478 in Spain and later expanded to its colonies, including New Spain in the Americas under the protection of the Spanish Crown and the Catholic Church .Its primary goal was to enforce religious conformity and combat heresy, and it exercised strong ideological and religious control for almost 300 years.In its quest to preserve Catholic orthodoxy, it persecuted and punished hundreds of people, particularly among those who had converted to Christianity from other faiths, and accused them of committing alleged crimes against the faith, many of them without solid evidence or guarantees of justice.The legacy of the Inquisition remains as a reminder of the dangers of religious fanaticism and the abuse of power in the name of faith.Its story serves as a warning of the importance of always defending pluralism, human rights, and freedom of conscience without fear of persecution. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

On May 12, 1989, at 7:36 a.m., a freight train from the Southern Pacific, transporting trona, lost control while descending Cajon Pass, derailed catastrophically on an elevated curve, and plowed into a residential area on Duffy Street, a quiet residential street in San Bernardino, California.The accident was devastating; the lead locomotives and all freight cars were destroyed. The conductor, head-end brakeman, and two residents lost their lives in the incident. In addition, seven houses on the street immediately next to the tracks were demolished by the wreck, as were the lead locomotives and all of the freight cars. Clerks in Mojave had miscalculated the weight of the train, while the engineer and crew were unaware that one of the rear helper engines had inoperative dynamic brakes. Hence, there was not enough dynamic braking force available to maintain control of the train's speed during the descent. This is the story of the San Bernardino train derailment in 1989. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The California Condor, an awe-inspiring bird, holds a unique place in both ecological and cultural spheres. Its story of survival against formidable odds is a testament to the resilience and efforts of conservationists worldwide. In the 1980s, the California Condor was perilously near extinction, with only 22 birds remaining in the wild. This dire situation prompted urgent action from conservation groups, who took the bold step of capturing the remaining birds and placing them in captivity to protect the species from disappearing forever. The decision to bring the condors into captivity sparked a meticulously planned reproduction program that, against all odds, proved to be overwhelmingly successful. Today, the population of California Condors has increased to around 560 individuals. Remarkably, there are now more condors flying freely in the skies of California, Arizona, Utah, and Baja California in Mexico than those housed in captivity. This milestone is a significant achievement, showcasing the determination and dedication of conservationists to restore this magnificent bird to its natural habitat. The California Condor plays a crucial role in its ecosystem. As scavengers, they help maintain the ecological balance by consuming carrion, which, if left unchecked, can spread diseases and disrupt the environment. These birds, with their impressive wingspans and keen eyesight, are adept at locating animal carcasses from great distances, ensuring the natural recycling of organic matter. Their presence signifies a healthy and functioning ecosystem, making their conservation critical to maintaining biodiversity. Beyond their ecological importance, condors hold profound cultural significance for many Indigenous peoples of the western United States and South America. These majestic birds are revered in various tribal traditions and spiritual beliefs, symbolizing freedom, power, and wisdom. The condor’s soaring flight is often seen as a connection between the earthly realm and the spiritual world, embodying the harmony between nature and humanity. One of the most poignant cultural representations of the condor’s significance is the melody "El Condor Pasa," composed in 1913 by Peruvian musician Daniel Alomía Robles. This evocative song was crafted to represent the suffering and resilience of the oppressed Indigenous people of Peru. "El Condor Pasa" has transcended its origins, becoming a symbol of cultural identity and the second anthem of Peru. Its haunting melody and powerful themes resonate deeply with listeners, reflecting the enduring spirit of the condor and the people it represents. In conclusion, the California Condor’s importance extends far beyond its physical presence. It symbolizes triumph, an ecological cornerstone, and a cultural icon. As we celebrate the success of the conservation programs that have brought these birds back from the edge of extinction, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect and preserve the condor and the natural world. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The St. Francis Dam, or the San Francisquito Dam, was a concrete gravity dam located in San Francisquito Canyon in northern Los Angeles County, California, United States, that was built between 1924 and 1926. The dam failed catastrophically in 1928, killing at least 431 people in the subsequent flood, in what is considered to have been one of the worst American civil engineering disasters of the 20th century and the third-greatest loss of life in California history.The dam was built to serve the growing water needs of the city of Los Angeles, creating a large regulating and storage reservoir that was an integral part of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. It was located in San Francisquito Canyon, about 40 miles (64 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles.However, a defective soil foundation and design flaws led to the dam's collapse just two years after its completion. Its failure ended the career of William Mulholland, the general manager and chief engineer of the Bureau of Water Works and Supply (now the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power)Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

January 2025 will forever be etched in the memories of Los Angeles residents due to the devastating fires that swept through Palisades and Eaton. These tragic events not only caused significant loss of life and property but also highlighted the vulnerability of urban areas to wildfires in an era of changing climate.The dawn of 2025 was marred by a series of devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles, leaving a trail of destruction and despair. The Palisades and Eaton fires, which ignited in early January, wreaked havoc on the communities and landscapes of Southern California, marking a tragic chapter in the region's history.It started in the rugged terrain of the Santa Monica Mountains, spurred by dry conditions and unseasonably high winds. Within hours, the fire had spread uncontrollably, engulfing neighborhoods and forcing thousands to evacuate.The fires left a lasting scar on the environment, with vast areas of greenery reduced to ash. The loss of vegetation increased the risk of landslides and erosion, posing further threats to the affected areas. Wildlife habitats were destroyed, displacing countless animals and disrupting local ecosystems. The environmental impact of the Palisades fire was severe. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The R.M.S. Queen Mary spent three decades transporting the rich and famous across the Atlantic before retiring in 1967.She survived the Great Depression and World War II and managed to avoid the tragic fate of her cousin, Titanic. But under the glitz and glamour, this haunted ship is hiding several dark secrets.  She offered all the finest amenities: exquisite dining rooms, swimming pools, daily radio broadcasts, a kennel for the passengers’ dogs, a children’s nursery — even a hospital. And she was fast. Boasting a top speed of 32 knots, she could travel from England to New York in four days.  At the outbreak of World War II, the famed ocean liner became a military transport ship, hauling between 5,000 and 15,000 soldiers across the world. And that’s when things took a dark turn.  At least 47 people died aboard the Queen Mary during her time at sea.  The ship is reportedly haunted by over 100 spirits, and paranormal activity is so frequent and intense that some members of the crew refuse to go inside.This haunted ship holds as much evil as it does hope now. Marred by war, neither time nor renovation can bury the dark secrets of the R.M.S. Queen Mary.  Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

This is part 2 of the summer 2024 trip. Be sure to listen to the 1st part first. To broaden your horizons, get to know other cultures, learn new things, and enjoy life to its fullest, it is necessary to travel at least once in your life. Traveling is not only a pleasure but almost a human necessity, traveling not only offers you the opportunity to see incredible places and meet interesting people, but it brings many benefits to your mental health, emotional state, your family relationship, and your personal growth.People generally live every moment of life, from one day to the next in a hurry, with many chores, jobs, and tasks, without taking their eyes off the clock. And we wonder where the time has gone and why we haven't done something more with our day... with our life.Come and join me during my summer 2024 trip, I traveled approximately 5,000 miles in my travel trailer through the Central states and the Pacific Northwest, visiting many interesting places.  This is part two of two.Listen to the 1st part:E67 Parte I: Soy el Viajero por el MundoSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

To broaden your horizons, get to know other cultures, learn new things, and enjoy life to its fullest, it is necessary to travel at least once in your life. Traveling is not only a pleasure but almost a human necessity, traveling not only offers you the opportunity to see incredible places and meet interesting people, but it brings many benefits to your mental health, emotional state, your family relationship, and your personal growth.People generally live every moment of life, from one day to the next in a hurry, with many chores, jobs, and tasks, without taking their eyes off the clock. And we wonder where the time has gone and why we haven't done something more with our day... with our life.Come and join me during my summer 2024 trip, I traveled approximately 5,000 miles in my travel trailer through the Southwest and Central states, visiting many national parks.  This is part one of two.Listen to the 2nd part:E68 Parte II: Soy el Viajero por el MundoSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

On June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, entered history when landings on the beaches of Normandy in northern France brought together the land, air, and sea forces of the Allied armies and opened a new European front against the troops of the Third Reich during the Second World War.It was the largest and most dramatic military operation in history, which marked the beginning of the Battle of Normandy, the liberation of France, and the rest of German-occupied Western Europe, and marked the end of the Second World War. The Normandy invasion was one of the great turning points of twentieth-century history. and often referred to as D-Day, became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

At 8:32 a.m. PDT on May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens, a volcanic peak in southwestern Washington, suffered a massive eruption, killing 57 people and devastating some 210 square miles of wilderness.Mount St. Helens is located in the Cascade Range and stood 9,680 feet before its eruption. The volcano has erupted periodically during the last 4,500 years, and the last active period was between 1831 and 1857. On March 20, 1980, noticeable volcanic activity began with a series of earth tremors.Small eruptions continued daily, and in April people familiar with the mountain noticed changes to the structure of its north face. The bulge was caused by an intrusion of magma below the surface, and authorities began evacuating hundreds of people from the sparsely settled area near the mountain. A few people refused to leave.On the morning of May 18, Mount St. Helens was shaken by an earthquake of about 5.0 magnitude, and the entire north side of the summit began to slide down the mountain. The giant landslide of rock and ice, one of the largest recorded in history, was followed and overtaken by an enormous explosion of steam and volcanic gases, which surged northward along the ground at high speed. Approximately 10 million trees were felled by the blast.The Mount St. Helens major eruption of May 18, 1980, remains the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in U.S. history.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Legend has it that Death Valley Scotty built his castle on top of his secret gold mine that funded this lavish house. But the true story is even more improbable and interesting!Hidden in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon in far northern Death Valley is the Death Valley Ranch, or "Scotty's Castle" as it is more commonly known.Walter Scott was a rowdy and shady character, with little luck in gold prospecting but great luck in spending investor's money. Albert Mussey Johnson was a well-respected Chicago insurance magnate. The two could not have been more different.Convinced to invest in Scotty's mine, Mr. Johnson gave thousands of dollars to Scotty over the next several years. Unfortunately, Scotty never delivered the gold. Undaunted, Mr. Johnson finally decided to take a look at the gold mine on a personal tour of Death Valley. Scotty took Mr. Johnson on a grueling trek by horseback through Death Valley. Although he never saw Scotty's mine and was most certainly being swindled, Mr. Johnson did not seem to mind. He had found riches in the desert far greater than those that glitter.In 1920 Albert Mussey Johnson built the house as a vacation getaway for himself and his wife Bessie.Walter Scott, known as "Death Valley Scotty," convinced everyone that he had built the castle with money from his rich secret mines in the area.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The 1997 North Hollywood shootout, also known as the Battle of North Hollywood, was a confrontation between two heavily armed and armored bank robbers, Larry Phillips Jr. and Emil Mătăsăreanu, and police officers in the North Hollywood district of Los Angeles on February 28, 1997. Both robbers were killed, twelve police officers and eight civilians were injured, and numerous vehicles and other property were damaged or destroyed by the nearly 2,000 rounds of ammunition fired by the robbers and police.At 9:16 a.m., Phillips and Mătăsăreanu entered and robbed Bank of America's North branch. The robbers were confronted by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers when they exited the bank and a shootout between the officers and robbers ensued. The robbers attempted to flee the scene, Phillips on foot and Mătăsăreanu in their getaway vehicle, while continuing to exchange fire with the officers. The shootout continued onto a residential street adjacent to the bank until Phillips, mortally wounded, killed himself; Mătăsăreanu was incapacitated by officers three blocks away and bled to death before the arrival of paramedics more than an hour later.The ineffectiveness of the standard small-caliber police pistols and shotguns in penetrating the robbers' body armor contributed to motivating the arming of police patrol officers, not just SWAT teams, in Los Angeles and nationwide, with heavier firepower such as semi-automatic AR-15-style rifles. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

During February 2024, the latest storm brought 1.99 inches of rain to Southern California so far, bringing this month’s total rainfall to 12.56 inches. The latest storm dropped 1.99 inches of rain in downtown Los Angeles and it makes it the fourth wettest February in downtown Los Angeles since 1877 when records first were reported. The monster storm triggered hundreds of mudslides across Los Angeles. Why do they happen?Our story takes 500 years to the past back to the Aztec Empire, who believed in a complex and diversified pantheon of gods and goddesses.Tlaloc, the god of rain, water, and earthly fertility, is one of the most ancient deities in all Mesoamerica.  The Aztecs believed that if sacrifices were not supplied for Tlaloc, rain would not come, their crops would not flourish, and so, human sacrifices were performed...child sacrifices. Visual accounts of Aztec sacrificial practice are principally found in codices and some Aztec statuary. Many visual renderings were created for Spanish patrons and thus may reflect European preoccupations and prejudices.Archaeologists have found the remains of at least 42 children sacrificed to Tlaloc at the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan.  Tlaloc required the tears of the young as part of the sacrifice. The priests made the children cry on their way to immolation: a good omen that Tlaloc would wet the earth in the rainy season.The Tlaloc Monolith is among the most photographed public artworks in Mexico City. Standing on the grounds of the National Anthropology Museum it represents an ancient deity of rain and water. The monument was buried from at least the 16th century in San Miguel Coatlinchán, east of Mexico City in Mexico State, and found in the mid-19th century. In 1964 the statue was moved to Mexico City. The move of the Tlaloc Monolith was accompanied by a tremendous downpour that flooded much of the city center. It’s never been forgotten.Was the wrath of the rain and water God awaken?Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

On this rainy Saturday morning, I received a phone call from you, we will chat casually while I prepare my morning coffee and tell you about my plans for today and the many things I like to do. Also, I will tell you about some of the wonderful places I like to visit around here. Join me for a casual look into my day. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Close to 80 years ago,  a horrific murder scene, in the quiet neighborhood would shock the neighbors, puzzle the police, and forever stain the pages of the history of United States crime books.Elizabeth Short, known posthumously as the Black Dahlia, was an American woman found murdered in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 1947, her body was cut in half and severely mutilated and her killer was never found.Although there are many theories and multiple suspects, this case is considered the oldest cold case in California.This is her story...Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Taking time to reflect on the past and think about what you want in the new year is essential for many reasons. First, it allows you to gain perspective on your life and identify areas where you want to make changes or improvements. Looking back on your experiences and achievements, you can better understand what works for you and doesn't and use that information to guide your decisions.Reflection also helps you set more meaningful and achievable goals. By considering what you have accomplished in the past and what you still want to achieve, you can create a roadmap for the future that aligns with your values and priorities. This can help you stay focused and motivated as you work towards your goals.Taking time to reflect can help you cultivate gratitude and appreciation for your life. By focusing on the positive aspects of your experiences, you can develop a more positive outlook and cultivate a sense of contentment and satisfaction. This can lead to greater happiness and well-being overall.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

This is part 3 of the National Park Series Joshua Tree National Park is a vast protected area in southern California. It's characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles Two distinct desert ecosystems: the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, which is higher and cooler. Keys View looks out over the Coachella Valley. Hiking trails weave through the boulders of Hidden Valley. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. Come explore for yourself!Here are the previous parts of this series:E28: Parque Nacional I: YosemiteE39: Parque Nacional II: La Tierra de GigantesE58 Parque Nacional III: Joshua, El Señor de los DesiertosSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Zoot Suit Riots, a series of conflicts that occurred in June 1943 in Los Angeles between U.S. servicemen and Mexican American youths, the latter of whom wore outfits called zoot suits. The zoot suit consisted of a broad-shouldered drape jacket, balloon-leg trousers, and, sometimes, a flamboyant hat. Mexican and Mexican-American youths who wore these outfits were called zoot-suiters. Pressures related to U.S. involvement in World War II contributed to the racial tensions that preceded the riots. As part of the war effort, by March 1942 the United States had begun rationing various resources. Restrictions on wool had a direct effect on the manufacture of wool suits and other clothing. There were regulations prohibiting the manufacturing of zoot suits, but a network of bootleg tailors continued to manufacture them. This exacerbated racial tensions, as Mexican American youths wearing the zoot suits were seen as un-American because they were deliberately ignoring the rationing regulations.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The following episode includes graphic content that may not be suitable for some audiences. Listener discretion is advised.During the month of October, during the Halloween season, I have put together a series of the most terrifying horror Halloween movies, where you will hear about the creepy monsters all wearing their iconic masks that hunt you in your nightmares. This is the last story.This is part 3 of the Halloween  Movies Special 2023 SeriesHalloween is an American horror story released in 1978 and was written by John Carpenter. This iconic slasher media franchise consists of thirteen films, as well as novels, comic books, a video game, and other merchandise. The films primarily focus on Michael Myers, who was committed to a sanitarium as a child for the murder of his sister, Judith Myers. Fifteen years later, he escapes to stalk and kill the people of the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois. Michael's killings occur on the holiday of Halloween, on which all of the films primarily take place. Throughout the series, various protagonists try to stop Myers including, most notably, babysitter Laurie Strode  portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis, and psychiatrist Dr. Samuel Loomis.Here are the previous parts of this series:E55 Halloween Special I: Texas Chainsaw MassacreE56 Halloween Special II: Friday the 13thE57 Halloween Special III: Halloween the movieSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The following episode includes graphic content that may not be suitable for some audiences. Listener discretion is advised.During the month of October, during the Halloween season, I have put together a series of the most terrifying horror Halloween movies, where you will hear about the creepy monsters all wearing their iconic masks that hunt you in your nightmares. This is the second story.This is part 2 of the Halloween  Movies Special 2023 Series***Friday the 13th (1980) may have been panned by critics when first released but since then, it is one of the most famous and influential horror films, the franchise containing one of horror's most iconic villains. Months after Alice beheaded psycho killer/mother Pamela Voorhees at Camp Crystal Lake, survivor Alice is still traumatized because of the murders. But there is one problem: Mrs. Voorhees' son Jason never drowned and died, so he saw Alice behead Mrs. Voorhees. Jason finds Alice soon and murders her. Five years later, a camp counselor-in-training program begins at Packanack Lodge, right near Camp Crystal Lake. As teenagers in the program start snooping around Camp Crystal Lake, they start getting killed violently one by one.Here are the previous parts of this series:E55 Halloween Special I: Texas Chainsaw MassacreE56 Halloween Special II: Friday the 13thE57 Halloween Special III: Halloween the movieSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The following episode includes graphic content that may not be suitable for some audiences. Listener discretion is advised.During the month of October, during the Halloween season, I have put together a series of the most terrifying horror Halloween movies, where you will hear about the creepy monsters all wearing their iconic masks that hunt you in your nightmares. This is the first story. This is part 1 of the Halloween  Movies Special 2023 SeriesThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a 1974 American horror film produced, co-composed, and directed by Tobe Hooper, and it was released in the United States on October 11, 1974. While the film initially received mixed reception from critics, it was highly profitable, and it has since gained a reputation as one of the best and most influential horror films. It is credited with originating several elements common in the slasher genre, including the use of power tools as murder weapons, the characterization of the killer as a large, hulking, masked figure, and the killing of victims. The plot follows five friends who head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of their grandfather and fall victim to a family of cannibals. On the way they stumble across what appears to be a deserted house, only to discover something sinister within. Something armed with a chainsaw. The film was marketed as being based on true events to attract a wider audience and act as a subtle commentary on the era's political climate. Although the character of Leatherface and minor story details were inspired by the crimes of murderer Ed Gein, its plot is largely fictional.Here are the previous parts of this series:E55 Halloween Special I: Texas Chainsaw MassacreE56 Halloween Special II: Friday the 13thE57 Halloween Special III: Halloween the movieSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Before you start on this second part, please listen to E52, part I: Cesar ChavezCo-founder of the United Farm Workers Association, Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta is one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement.  Born on April 10, 1930 in Dawson, New Mexico, Huerta was the second of three children of Alicia and Juan Fernandez, a farm worker and miner who became a state legislator in 1938. Her parents divorced when Huerta was three years old, and her mother moved to Stockton, California with her children. In 1955 Huerta began her career as an activist when she co-founded the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization (CSO), which led voter registration drives and fought for economic improvements for Hispanics. She also founded the Agricultural Workers Association. Through a CSO associate, Huerta met activist César Chávez, with whom she shared an interest in organizing farm workers. In 1962, Huerta and Chávez founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), the predecessor of the United Farm Workers’ Union (UFW), which formed three year later. Huerta served as UFW vice president until 1999.Throughout her work with the UFW, Huerta organized workers, negotiated contracts, and advocated for safer working conditions including the elimination of harmful pesticides. She also fought for unemployment and healthcare benefits for agricultural workers. Huerta was the driving force behind the nationwide table grape boycotts in the late 1960s that led to a successful union contract by 1970.The recipient of many honors, Huerta received the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. As of 2015, she was a board member of the Feminist Majority Foundation, the Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America, and the President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation.https://www.doloreshuerta.org/Listen to the previous part:E52 La Fuerza Unida, Parte I: Cesar ChavezSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Cesar Chavez  (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) was an American labor leader and civil rights activist. Along with Dolores Huerta, he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), later to become the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union.Born in Yuma, Arizona to a Mexican-American family, Chavez began his working life as a manual laborer before spending two years in the United States Navy. Relocating to California, where he married, he got involved in the Community Service Organization (CSO), through which he helped laborers register to vote. In the 1960s he began organizing strikes among farmworkers, most notably the successful Delano grape strike of 1965–1970.Chavez emphasized direct nonviolent tactics, including pickets and boycotts, to pressure farm owners into granting strikers' demands.Cesar Chavez died in bed on April 23, 1993. He was aged 66.[409]His birthday is a federal commemorative holiday in several U.S. states, while many places are named after him, and in 1994 he posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Listen to the next part:E53 La Fuerza Unida, Parte II: Dolores HuertaSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

On  February 6, 2023, at 04:17, local time, a 7.8  earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria.  making it the largest in Turkey since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake of the same magnitude, and jointly the second-strongest recorded in the history of the country, after the 1668 North Anatolia earthquake. The confirmed death toll stood at 57,658: 50,399 in Turkey, and 7,259 in Syria.And helped arrived... Mexico is sending some of its famous search and rescue dogs to Turkey to help look for people buried under rubble following February's earthquake.A plane with 16 dogs on board took off from Mexico City earlier on Tuesday.Mexico, which is prone to earthquakes, has highly specialized civilian and military teams which are often deployed to help when disasters strike.The dogs won the hearts of Mexicans during the country's 2017 quake when they saved several lives. The dogs are trained to sniff out humans and alert their handlers by barking and scratching the ground where the smell is strongest.Proteo was one of those dogs, who participated in saving people who were trapped under buildings. However, this canine hero died during the commission of his duties. While it was first believed that Proteo died in a building collapse during a rescue, his trainer, Carlos Villeda Maquez, explained that other factors were responsible for the dog’s death. The conditions – including the brutally cold temperatures — were very harsh for the almost 10- year-old Proteo. His body was transported back to Mexico where he will be laid to rest as a hero.“Proteo, we are waiting for you at home, because a soldier, when completing his mission, returns to his home, to our beautiful and beloved Mexico. Your colleagues from the Mexican Army and Mexican Air Force are proud of you, our great hero,”Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Fort Ord is a former United States Army post on Monterey Bay on the Pacific Ocean coast in California. In its prime, Fort Ord was once one the most coveted military training grounds in the U.S. Founded in 1917, Fort Ord was the first stop for many new recruits in many different wars such as WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. The fort closed in 1994 due to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action. Most of the fort's land now makes up the Fort Ord National Monument, managed by the United States Bureau of Land Management as part of the National Conservation Lands, while a small portion remains an active military installation under Army control designated as the Ord Military Community.For nearly 80 years Fort Ord accommodated a small city of soldiers and housed an arsenal of munitions hidden in underground bunkers all over the property. Today, the training ground is a far cry from what it used to be. The only sounds left at Fort Ord are the winds piling up the sand and the waves breaking them down. Fort Ord is an abandoned place.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The día de Los Reyes is better known as the feast of Epiphany in English. Los Reyes Magos – known as the Three Wise Men, or Three Kings in English – are three men who followed the North Star to the town of Bethlehem to welcome baby Jesus into the world. Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar traveled from a faraway place to gift the Son of God with gold, incense, and myrrh.While children in everywhere received their presents on Christmas day, those living in México and other Latin-American countries are still waiting for January 6th. Why? Because it is the day when the 3 wise men from the Orient will arrive and bring their presents to baby Jesus, or at least that’s how the story goes.That day they will also celebrate eating the popular “Three Kings Bread” called Rosca de Reyes in México, and Mexican hot chocolate. People do not usually bake their Rosca bread. This is a busy time for the Mexican bakeries that will be selling these delicious Roscas not just to eat at home, but also in the office or school.Inside the bread, or Rosca is a plastic little doll (about one inch long) representing baby Jesus. Whoever gets the doll in their slice has to cook tamales on February 2nd. Also called Candelaria Day.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

As we approach the end of another year it is important to reflect on the experiences that one has lived, it is important to analyze the success you obtained and your failures, it is also important to make plans, and set goals to achieve new purposes, you have to put energy into things that are worthwhile, dedicate time to yourself and the people you love in life. While some wait until January 1 to make positive changes, the end of one year and the beginning of another offers a natural opportunity to consider the big picture of your life, and doing an end-of-year reflection is essential for success!Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

On the evening of 8 December 1980, English musician John Lennon, formerly of the Beatles, was shot and fatally wounded by an obsessed fan outside of the Dakota, his residence in New York City. John Lennon and Yoko Ono returned to the Dakota Apartments at approximately 10:50 p.m.As Lennon passed by, he glanced briefly at Chapman, appearing to recognize him from earlier. Seconds later, Chapman drew his gun, which was concealed in his coat pocket, aimed at the center of Lennon's back, and rapidly fired five hollow-point bullets from a distance of about nine or ten feet.John Lennon was declared dead one hour later in the Roosevelt Hospital in New York. He was 40 years old.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK and the nickname Jack, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination near the end of his third year in office. Kennedy was the youngest person to assume the presidency by election. He was also the youngest president at the end of his tenure. Kennedy served at the height of the Cold War, and the majority of his work as president concerned relations with the Soviet Union and Cuba. A Democrat, he represented Massachusetts in both houses of the U.S. Congress prior to his presidency.On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. His vice president, Lyndon B. Johnson, assumed the presidency upon Kennedy's death. Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested for the assassination, but he was shot and killed by Jack Ruby two days later. The FBI and the Warren Commission both concluded Oswald had acted alone. Despite his truncated presidency, Kennedy ranks highly in polls of U.S. presidents with historians and the general public. Kennedy is the most recent U.S. president to have died in office.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

During the month of October, during the Halloween season, I have put together a series of the most terrifying and creepy real-life ghost stories, where you will hear about the unexplained paranormal and supernatural occurrences that have stained the pages of the history of the United States. This is the last storyThis is part 3 of the Halloween Special 2022 SeriesFor over 100 years, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has been flooded by reports of paranormal activity. From phantom cries of wounded soldiers to life-like apparitions, many visitors to Gettysburg have been touched by its haunting past.Gettysburg was the site where Confederate and Union armies clashed on July 1, 1863. The battle was a three-day bloodbath that would change American history forever. When the cannon smoke cleared, the Union soldiers had won, but nearly 5,000 horses and 50,000 men lay dead or dying. Many of the Confederate soldiers never received a proper burial. Now, more the 14 decades later, these unsettled spirits may still linger in Gettysburg!Here are the previous parts of this series: E43 Halloween Special I: Las Brujas de SalemE44 Halloween Special II: La Casa de Terror de AmityvilleE45 Halloween Special III: Los Espectros de GettysburgSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

During the month of October, during the Halloween season, I have put together a series of the most terrifying and creepy real-life ghost stories, where you will hear about the unexplained paranormal and supernatural occurrences that have stained the pages of the history of the United States. This is part 2 of the Halloween Special 2022 SeriesInside The Real Amityville Horror House And Its Story Of Murder And Hauntings: The quaint-looking house at 112 Ocean Avenue was the scene of the grisly DeFeo murders before the Lutz family claimed to endure paranormal terror there that inspired The Amityville Horror.In the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 1974, one Amityville house in Long Island, New York became more than a mere suburban home. Instead, it became a ghastly crime scene, as Ronald DeFeo Jr. skulked the halls with a rifle and killed his parents and four of his siblings in their sleep.Despite the widely-publicized 1974 killings, numerous families have since moved in and out of the house, now listed as 108 Ocean Avenue. Meanwhile, the purportedly paranormal occurrences that happened here have spawned a slew of books and films like The Amityville Horror, which have kept tourists flocking to the house ever since.Though DeFeo's grisly crimes were all too real, is it possible that he was actually under the control of evil spirits that inhabited the house and haunted the Lutz family that moved in soon after? Here are the previous parts of this series: E43 Halloween Special I: Las Brujas de SalemE44 Halloween Special II: La Casa de Terror de AmityvilleE45 Halloween Special III: Los Espectros de GettysburgSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

During the month of October, during the Halloween season, I have put together a series of the most terrifying and creepy real-life ghost stories, where you will hear about the unexplained paranormal and supernatural occurrences that have stained the pages of the history of the United States. This is the first story.This is part 1 of the Halloween Special 2022 SeriesThe Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft—the devil’s magic—and 20 were executed. Thirty people were found guilty, 19 of whom were executed by hanging.Here are the previous parts of this series: E43 Halloween Special I: Las Brujas de SalemE44 Halloween Special II: La Casa de Terror de AmityvilleE45 Halloween Special III: Los Espectros de GettysburgSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The 1994 Northridge earthquake that struck the densely populated San Fernando Valley in southern California, U.S., on January 17, 1994, was the third major earthquake to occur in the state in 23 years and was the state’s most destructive one since the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and the costliest one in U.S. history. The earthquake occurred just after 4:30 AM local time along a previously undiscovered blind thrust fault in the San Fernando Valley. Its epicenter was in Reseda, a suburb located about 23 miles (37 km) west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The major shock lasted 10–20 seconds and registered a magnitude of 6.7.Fatality estimates range from just under 60 to more than 70 people killed. The timing of the earthquake (early morning during a federal holiday) is thought to have prevented a higher death toll, as most residents were in their beds, rather than on failed freeways or in other collapsed structures (such as office buildings or parking lots). Most casualties occurred in wood-frame apartment buildings, popular in the San Fernando Valley, particularly those with weak first floors or lower-level parking garages. Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The Pacific Northwest Coast is a geographic region in western North America bounded by the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west. Though no official boundary exists, the most common conception includes the U.S. states of California, Oregon, Washington, and the Canadian province of British Columbia.Few areas of the United States are as diversely beautiful as the Pacific Northwest. You probably know about the foggy beaches and wooded mountains, but that’s just the beginning—we’re talking islands teeming with wildlife, and endless fields of green and luscious forests.The Pacific Northwest is not only highly scenic but also was the destination of my summer 2022 road trip. Come join me on this road trip as we visit the Oregon coast, the sand dunes, the redwoods, the Sea lions Cave near Florence!Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The 1992 Los Angeles riots, were a series of riots and civil disturbances that occurred in Los Angeles County, California, in April and May 1992. The unrest began in South Central Los Angeles on April 29, after a jury acquitted four officers of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) charged with using excessive force in the arrest and beating of Rodney King. This incident had been videotaped and widely shown in television broadcasts.The rioting took place in several areas in the Los Angeles metropolitan area as thousands of people rioted over six days following the verdict's announcement. Widespread looting, assault, and arson occurred during the riots, which local police forces had difficulty controlling due to lack of personnel and resources. When the riots ended, 63 people had been killed, 2,383 had been injured, more than 12,000 had been arrested, and estimates of property damage were over $1 billion, which made the riots one of the most-devastating civil disruptions in American history.Koreatown, situated just to the north of South Central LA, was disproportionately damaged.  Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

This is part 2 of the National Park SeriesBeing dwarfed by Earth’s most massive tree, the giant sequoia, fills you with wonder. It’s hard to believe that a living thing can be so enormous and old. Also known as Sierra redwoods, the largest of these trees live in California’s rugged Sierra Nevada mountain range.Some of the largest surviving giant sequoia groves can be seen in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks,  and can live to be 3,000 years old!Giant sequoias grow so large because they live a very long time and grow quickly. To thrive, giant sequoias require a great amount of water, primarily from the Sierra snowpack that accumulates over the winter months and soaks into the ground when it melts.Giant sequoias are generally well able to protect themselves against their natural threats, allowing them to survive for thousands of years. They are too massive to be blown over in the wind, and their bark is thick and rich in tannins, which protect them against fire and insect damage. Fire is an important element of the giant sequoia forest. Sequoia seedlings need nutrient-rich soil, lots of sunlight, and an area free of competition from other plants to thrive. Periodic wildfires help to produce all of these conditions and are therefore very beneficial to the reproduction of sequoia trees.Here are the previous parts of this series:E28: Parque Nacional I: YosemiteE39: Parque Nacional II: La Tierra de GigantesE58 Parque Nacional III: Joshua, El Señor de los DesiertosSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

This is part 5 of the Leyenda SeriesHundreds of years ago, when the Aztec Empire dominated the Valley of Mexico, it was common practice to subject neighboring towns and to require a mandatory tax.  It was then that the chief of the Tlaxcaltecas, bitter enemies of the Aztecs, weary of this terrible oppression, decided to fight for his people’s freedom.The chief had a daughter named Iztaccihuatl: the most beautiful of all the princesses, who had professed her love for young Popocatepetl, one of her father’s people and the most handsome warrior.  Before leaving for war, Popocatepetl asked the chief for the hand of Princess Iztaccihuatl.The father gladly agreed and promised to welcome him back with a big celebration to give him his daughter’s hand if he returned victorious from the battle. Later,  Princess Iztaccihuatl was told that her beloved had died in combat. Crushed and overwhelmed by sadness, the princess died without even knowing that it was a lie. Popocatepetl returned victorious to his people, hoping to find his beloved princess. Upon arrival, he received the terrible news of the death of Iztaccihuatl.The young warrior lovingly kissed her cold lips, took a smoking torch, and knelt in front of his beloved to watch over her eternal sleep.Here are the other parts of the Leyenda Series: E09: Leyendas I: La LloronaE17: Leyendas II: La LechuzaE25: Leyendas III: El Monstruo de XochimilcoE29: Leyendas IV: El Palacio de LecumberriE38 Leyendas V: Una Trágica Historia de AmorSend me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

The Linda Vista Hospital was first established in 1904 as the Santa Fe Coastlines Hospital, a prospering healthcare facility dedicated to servicing employees of the Santa Fe Railroad. During the early decades of the 20th century, the hospital flourished as did Los Angeles' surrounding Boyle Heights neighborhood. East LA was slowly transformed into a less affluent area, and the number of violent crimes escalated. Lowered funding at the hospital resulted in less staff to treat the influx of patients; as a consequence, the hospital's death toll rose.By the 1970s and '80s, the gangs of East LA sent a steady stream of gunshot wounds and stabbings through Linda Vista's ER doors. The neighborhood was getting worse, as was the survival rate of patients admitted.In 1991 the last patient checked out of Linda Vista.While the hospital is no longer in operation, some have told stories of the various hauntings that take place on the grounds themselves. Since the hospital’s closure, many paranormal experts were known to spend the night here in hopes of catching whatever evidence they could find for paranormal activity. It had become a hotbed of ghostly activity for quite some time on account of the number of patient deaths that have occurred over the years.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5, which commemorates the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

A California hotel reminiscent of the lodge in the horror film The Shining has had a long history of paranormal activity and what are believed to be ghostly guests.The Padre Hotel in downtown Bakersfield first opened its doors in 1928, and the Spanish colonial revival structure has been the setting for a series of deaths and related tragedies through the years. According to local archives, examples include a woman jumping off the building’s roof, a man killing himself in a bathtub and a love triangle resulting in a deadly shooting.Legend has it that the Padre Hotel now hosts shadowy figures that roam the eight-story historic landmark’s hallways — possibly victims from a fire in the 1950s — and what looks like a little girl’s ghostly handprint on a pillar in the lobby won’t go away even when it has been cleaned or painted over.The upper floors, particularly the seventh, are said to be a hotbed of unexplained activity.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Bakersfield is Sharktooth Hill. First documented by William P. Blake in 1853, Sharktooth Hill is one of the most significant Miocene fossil sites in the world Sharktooth Hill is a middle Miocene marine exposure of the Round Mountain Silt unit of the Temblor Formation. Using magnetic stratigraphy data, the age of this unit is estimated to be around 15.2 and 16 million years old (Prothero et al., 2008). However, above the bone beds, the sediments accumulated in the Temblor Sea at a fast rate, and animal remains were not disturbed by ocean currents. So, occasionally associated specimens of marine animals, such as Cetaceans, Sea Lions, Sea Cows, and Sea Turtles can be found. Examples of these associated specimens can be seen at the Beuna Vista Museum of Natural History.You will find the full transcript at https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comAs always, I really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to me :Email: [email protected]: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUn1MRmbmxL0ePiYDGfsJVwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/interspanishPodcast/about/?ref=page_internalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/interspanish/Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Acapulco, a beach resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast, is set on a large bay backed by high-rises and the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. Made famous by the jet set in the 1950s and ’60s, it's known for its high-energy nightlife, beaches, and golf.The screen of the Flores theater projected that night the short entitled The passion for billiards. The astonishment of the large audience was almost hypnotic in the face of such a dazzling prodigy. The figures moving with great speed will suddenly freeze and noisy protests will not be long in coming. Upstairs, in the projection booth, the inexperienced operator Enrique Flores uses his shirt to put out a small fire. The flames will rise in seconds devouring everything.Flores is the first and then more than three hundred of the four thousand inhabitants of the port would perish that night. It was 10:10 p.m. on February 14, 1909.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

When the rain began drenching the California landscape in December 1861, none of the state’s 500,000 residents could have imagined the devastation that was about to strike the region.Just a few months earlier, the farmers and ranchers of California had been praying for rain to spare their parched land from the two previous decades of exceptionally dry weather.The Great Flood of 1862 began in late November 1861, when early winter storms dropped heavy snow in the higher elevations of Northern California and Oregon. In the first few days of December, temperatures in California rose dramatically, and the northern snow packs began to melt.A deadly scenario was taking shape, and after weeks of heavy rain and snow, the real monster storms arrived.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

Flag Day, or ‘Día de la Bandera’ as it’s known in  México, is celebrated on February 24 every year, since it was first established. To fly the national flag is a sign of pride and patriotism. It is a positive affirmation of loyalty and commitment. It marks out a country that has confidence in itself and is comfortable with its place in the world, its history, and its future.The central emblem is the Mexican coat of arms, based on the Aztec symbol for Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City), the center of the Aztec empire. It recalls the legend of an eagle sitting on a cactus while devouring a serpent that signaled to the Aztecs where to found their city, Tenochtitlán.The green represents hope for the nation, the white represents peace and unity, and the red symbolizes the blood of those who died fighting for the nation’s independence and the Aztec warriors who defended Tenochtitlán.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish

If you’ve ever wondered how it would be to visit the Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya, if you are a nature lover and flora and fauna enthusiast, you’ve probably heard about some mystic places called cenotes.A cenote is said to be quite significant to the Mayan people. Whilst cenotes were their main water source, they were also considered to be the entrance to the Xibalba, translated to the underworld, and a place where the Mayan gods would visit, especially Chaac, the Mayan god of rain, lightning, and thunder.Send me a text but know that I can’t respond hereUpdated official intro without the season year Support the showYou will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected] visit my socials:https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish