Movie Set of
Disney's "South of the Border"

It seems that Hollywood loves films about talking dogs and a lot of moviegoers too, because otherwise Hollywood wouldn't keep making them. In a few months we'll be getting a super-sized talking dog movie called South of the Border. I say super-sized because the live-action Disney movie is going to have a lot of talking dogs in it. Drew Barrymore will be voicing the lead dog, a pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua named Chloe, who ends up lost in Mexico while on vacation with her owner. As you'd expect, the little dog meets a bunch of new friends to help her find her way back home in the US.

Most of the other dogs will be voiced by known Latin American actors, including Salma Hayek, who plays a guide who helps Chloe learn her Hispanic roots, and George Lopez who plays another Chihuahua who attempts to woo Chloe. Other roles have been cast with Cheech Marin (who voiced the cartoon Chihuahua character in Disney's Oliver & Company), Paul Rodriguez, Plácido Domingo, Edward James Olmos and Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo. Andy Garcia will also be voicing a dog. The Cuban actor is voicing an ex-K-9 German Shepherd.

Diana and I were invited to participate in the production of a scene that had to do with Aztecs, my historic favorite subject. I was invited to help as a historian consultant as well as creating a make up/body paint proposal for the scenes of war. It was a great experience, we left with not only a lot of new things learned but with the satisfaction of planting a few seeds in the hearts of many we met during our weeks of involvement. Would love another opportunity like this again!