shoes... hmmm. Having been raised on an organic farm then cattle ranch, and yes, I did hunt and kill deer, etc. (Sorry, I'm getting flamed by utubers who think somehow that Sarah Palin being interviewed on camera while just slaughtered turkeys are being drained of their blood in the background means Sarah is 'not intelligent'. Geez... sorry, back to shores. I am a multi-millionaire now, self-made, but I do not call my 'entrepreneur' because I think that's a stupid title, particularly since you can now get a degree in 'entrepreneurship' which to me is an oxymoron. Where was I? Shoes. One does not need shoes ever, except if you are going to be walking over razor sharp broken glass or hardened lava (a'a) that is still hot. Why not? Because when you go barefoot, after a short time you have calloused feet. I know. I never wore shoes on the farm or the ranch unless I was breaking a horse or going to school or church. I don't wear shoes now, either, except when I have a meeting with a 'bigwig' client. (But I DO tend to break toes every year or so, just a month ago in fact, from hitting my foot on something hard and splaying the toes. Sigh. P.S. I also learned how to make leather clothes, hats, saddles and shoes in the 70s. I still make my own shoes today. The trick is to take a class on shoemaking and then get the proper tools. You should try it. It's a very soothing hobby, just like making complex bracelets and necklaces, my other hobby.
excalipoor
· 1 year ago
It's really daring to attend an unfamiliar event with not a lot of information that takes place outside US soil. In hindsight, the risk was worth it. Glad to hear that you get a chance to have fun and get to do something like the shoes drop off events at the same time. I heard about Tom shoes from Rocketboom before. I will go back to that website again and contribute. Because I was born outside of U.S. during the week of Thanksgiving, I never really have that Thanksgiving celebration in mind. (Only think about another year older and trying to find cheap electronics.) But I'll just say that I'm thankful that I still maintain sanity and good health after dealing with several turbulent events in 2008. I'm working on Thanksgiving Day, but I'll watch Holiday Help desk when I have time. Happy Thanksgiving.
Kevin
· 1 year ago
Sí, estás bonita, dentro y fuera.
Alex
· 1 year ago
Congrats on the great trip. Sorry to hear about the lack of women there but I'm sure you'll make it known so it may be correct for future events.
Welcome back safely to NYC!
Marco Donjuan
· 1 year ago
Glad you had a good time :) You are such a hard working girl! :)
Have a great holiday!
thor13
· 1 year ago
a church i use to go to would do the same thing of taking clothes, shoes, and school supplies down to ensenada baja california. but now this new church group i have been going is in ethopia and doing the same thing helping ppl in this small village in gimbi, ethiopia.
glad you were able to enjoy yourself and help others as well. great post gringa jk jk :-p
erick v.
Paulbilly
· 1 year ago
I have three pairs of Toms's. I think I herd about it on Mahalo Daily back when Veronica Belmont was hosting. I'm glad you had a good experience, i think everyone should visit an undeveloped country at least once in their life. I believe it can widen your perspective about whats really possible and how reachable your goals actually are. People seem to put limits on what they can achieve even with all the opportunities we're given (and may take for granted) in this country.
Milos
· 1 year ago
Natali, It seems as if you had fun, enjoyed yourself while at the same time seen the world from a bit different perspective from those of our daily lives. As for the women to men ratio I'm sure it will get better as early as the next event. Happy and safe travels! :-)
Roberto
· 1 year ago
Wow, amazing trip. Thank you for sharing it!
Matt V
· 1 year ago
This is a great blog especially for this time of year. Perfect! Obviously, the Gratitude theme stands out and these are wonderful causes. It's great to hear about young people with innovative ideas for good purposes. Also, I can indentify with your feelings of doubt about the trip in the beginning. Although Cancun sounds great with this freezing cold weather right now! Seriously, It reminds me to be more open to new things like you had put it "stop being so uptight about my expectations". It's great you met some much needed new friends that live in NYC. I just moved from NYC to Philly and I know that feeling all TOO well. Also, I've learned a lot about gratitude as I lost both my Parents in the last year and this is my first Thanksgiving without them. Appreciate your time with your family. Thanks for the blog and for throwing in some cute humor even though it was a serious subject... Have a safe trip and a Great Turkey Day!
-Matt
byter
· 1 year ago
The video seems to have disappeared. Saving it for Wednesday's Loaded?
byter
· 1 year ago
Hmmm. The video doesn't show up in Firefox but does show up in IE on my machine. Probably not your issue. Sorry.
jon spencer
· 1 year ago
Another very good organization, done by water professionals. http://www.waterforpeople.org/ A little clicking around on that site will give a good idea of what is needed and done.
k
· 1 year ago
Natali - Sounds like a great project. I was struck by your response to being called gringo, though. You said you were "hurt" and "would not take kindly to be called a gringo."
Was your hurt and irritation because they were using a term that Webster's defines as "usually disparaging" for Anglophones, or was it because they were using that pejorative on you? I find it curious that this term doesn't get the same scrutiny as slang terms used for other groups. I have enjoyed your work and am really interested in your thoughts on this.
Mike
· 1 year ago
Natali,
Thank you for sharing your tuly extraordinary experience to Mexico. I was inspired by what you wrote. It goes to show that everything in life really does happen for a reason and solidifies the fact that despite whatever economic hardships we may think we face in our country, there are good people out there who can see beyond our own issues on a grander, global scale, that ironically deals with the most fundamental needs of humanity. I think about that often. How little it would take to help less-fortunate people in this world. One less "night on the town", one less pair of shoes or how one less latte might bring the simplest, most basic needs to someone who has never seen a "night on the town", owned a pair of shoes or ever tasted coffee, let alone drinkable water. It sounded like in the end, your trip was definitely worth it. That intrinsically good quality of people you witnessed and participated in, thankfully, still exists. Thanks again for sharing it. You really have a knack for writing! Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your time with your family!
-Mike
Joe MUniz
· 1 year ago
It is good to have that sense of fear and self preservation, otherwise you could end up just being used as eye-candy for someone else's amusement. I am glad the trip turned out to be both relaxing and eye-opening. The shoe and water charity sound like really great steps in the right direction to helping people help themselves. Have a great turkey day and don't let your mom and sis boss you around too much. Later Natalie, JOe
RICKY J
· 1 year ago
your amazing
adam
· 1 year ago
Similarly to k (comment #14), I'm curious about the 'gringo' thing. I'm a big fan of yours, btw, just looking for clarity on a topic about which I know little. The word has no connotation to me as I am in no way Hispanic and grew up in a Midwest US area greatly lacking cultural diversity. I assume that you're American and wouldn't know you're Hispanic if you hadn't mentioned it here and elsewhere; I suppose, though, that I would be more accurately described or labeled a gringo (nearly a cultural Gettier problem). But, accuracy aside, I wonder what it means to you to be called a gringo versus what it means to you for me to be called a gringo, and, if you use the word yourself, how and why you use the word. In other news...!
John Torres
· 1 year ago
On the way home last night, I was relating to a co-worker your experience in Mexico. Interestingly, when I mentioned that a group of boys said, "Mira los gringos!" at the bus, he was outraged. He said "if it was up to me, I would not give those people anything!" It made me a bit sad at first over this comment, but soon I realized he also reacted negatively to it. Perhaps he was thinking something like, "how dare they say something like that when we come to help them out!" However my reaction was very different. I could not stop thinking about how wonderful the event was. I imagined the happy faces of the children and adults when they received their gift. I also imagined how you must have felt seeing those faces. I guess it must have been like Christmas for you. They got the shoes, and you got to know that you made a difference. Although you personally did not donate the shoes, you did donated your time and heart. May you be blessed a million times over for this simple act of kindness.
Mariano
· 1 year ago
Wonderful act for the kids of Mexico, is sad that in the sorround areas of some of the richest places (money talkin) there's still very poor people, I know that because I live there.
For all the people the U.S. borned I have a question, how do you like to be called? americans? Mexico is also in America, north americans? Canada and Mexico are also part of North America. Anyways, the gringo therm here has strong roots over the popular culture and for a kid without education and shoes will be hard to be removed from his small vocabulary. I'm sure Natali will asure that everyone was thankful for what they get, the word gringo was just a word used to define those people.
The respectful people of both countries should have the word gringo and beaner banned from their vocabulary.
Thanks for the shoes and for been here, I know that TOMs wheren't yours, but the fact that you have come as public figure will motivate more people!
Y si, estas muy bonita, admito estar enamorado de ti. Lastima que tenga novia :)
k
· 1 year ago
Mariano -
Thanks for your question. There are lots of way to identity yourself, but if you are asking nationality-wise, I prefer "American".
Yes, I realize that Mexico and Canada are in North America and their citizens can be called "North American" but that is a geographic identity not a national one.
Also, my question not was about what the kids meant when they said "gringo", but what were the things behind Natali's strong reaction to the word.
k
· 1 year ago
Does anyone know if Natali reads these comments?
I enjoy her work and am interested in hearing more about her reaction to being called a gringo and what the word means to her.
natalidelconte
· 1 year ago
Yes I read these comments! I usually just respond to each reader individually if they ask for a response. What would you like me to respond to? Being called a gringo? To be honest, I wasn't really that offended given that I was traveling with a busload of gringos. I mostly used that anecdote as comedic relief for this story. But I agree with most of you here that "gringo" is no way to address people who are trying to help your community. I should have said that to those boys and regret that I didn't. Thank you for pointing that out.
Anything else I've missed?
Mariano
· 1 year ago
Well it seems anyone where offenden, in the name of that kids I will say thanks for the shoes and sorry for that despective nickname. The world is gettin' better as we learn to respect each other ;)
k
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the response, Natali.
It sounds like you agree the term gringo is "disparaging".
So, why is it only an issue that the term was used to describe folks who were trying to help? Would it be OK to call someone a gringo if they just happened to be passing through town?
It would not be socially acceptable to use a term like this for other groups, so I'm not sure why it would be OK in this scenario.
For the record, I am not suggesting that you have any ill-will, Natali. Through your TV appearances and blog, I have found you to be thoughtful, funny and open-minded.
I just wanted to prompt you to consider what it might feel like to be an innocent stranger on the receiving end of a term like "gringo," you know?
Joel Mueller
· 1 year ago
Hey Natali. Thanks for highlighting that experience. Check out this idea, and pass it onto Scott Harrison if you know how to contact him. It's called PlayPumps International. I uses the energy and social fun of children on playgrounds of their schools to power a well that pumps water for the local village. It has unbelievable social implications beyond clean water. Check out the video:
-joel from macupdate -- currently a gringo in Costa Rica. :)
Matthew
· 1 year ago
Glad to hear you stepped out of your comfort zone and enjoyed a breathe of fresh-air in beautiful Mexico and was able to give back to the local community! Sounds like a great experience. It's amazing how we forget to give thanks for the little things... like shoes on our feet... or big things like Clean Drinking Water.
Having the attitude of Gratitude will keep us close to 'Our Source of Supply' ie; God.
Keep being a LIGHT in a Dark World.
Steven
· 10 months ago
I'm assuming people from all over the world travel to Cancun, Gringo would be a more generic way of describing a bus load of foreigners than Americano. Then again maybe his vocabulary is limited.
All Comments
Welcome back safely to NYC!
Have a great holiday!
glad you were able to enjoy yourself and help others as well. great post gringa jk jk :-p
erick v.
Veronica Belmont was hosting. I'm glad you had a good experience, i think everyone should visit an undeveloped country at least once in their life. I believe it can widen your perspective about whats really possible and how reachable your goals actually are. People seem to put limits on what they can achieve even with all the opportunities we're given (and may take for granted) in this country.
It seems as if you had fun, enjoyed yourself while at the same time seen the world from a bit different perspective from those of our daily lives. As for the women to men ratio I'm sure it will get better as early as the next event. Happy and safe travels! :-)
Obviously, the Gratitude theme stands out and these are wonderful causes. It's great to hear about young people with innovative ideas for good purposes.
Also, I can indentify with your feelings of doubt about the trip in the beginning. Although Cancun sounds great with this freezing cold weather right now! Seriously, It reminds me to be more open to new things like you had put it "stop being so uptight about my expectations".
It's great you met some much needed new friends that live in NYC. I just moved from NYC to Philly and I know that feeling all TOO well. Also, I've learned a lot about gratitude as I lost both my Parents in the last year and this is my first Thanksgiving without them. Appreciate your time with your family.
Thanks for the blog and for throwing in some cute humor even though it was a serious subject...
Have a safe trip and a Great Turkey Day!
-Matt
http://www.waterforpeople.org/
A little clicking around on that site will give a good idea of what is needed and done.
Sounds like a great project. I was struck by your response to being called gringo, though. You said you were "hurt" and "would not take kindly to be called a gringo."
Was your hurt and irritation because they were using a term that Webster's defines as "usually disparaging" for Anglophones, or was it because they were using that pejorative on you? I find it curious that this term doesn't get the same scrutiny as slang terms used for other groups. I have enjoyed your work and am really interested in your thoughts on this.
Thank you for sharing your tuly extraordinary experience to Mexico. I was inspired by what you wrote. It goes to show that everything in life really does happen for a reason and solidifies the fact that despite whatever economic hardships we may think we face in our country, there are good people out there who can see beyond our own issues on a grander, global scale, that ironically deals with the most fundamental needs of humanity. I think about that often. How little it would take to help less-fortunate people in this world. One less "night on the town", one less pair of shoes or how one less latte might bring the simplest, most basic needs to someone who has never seen a "night on the town", owned a pair of shoes or ever tasted coffee, let alone drinkable water. It sounded like in the end, your trip was definitely worth it. That intrinsically good quality of people you witnessed and participated in, thankfully, still exists. Thanks again for sharing it. You really have a knack for writing! Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your time with your family!
-Mike
Have a great turkey day and don't let your mom and sis boss you around too much.
Later Natalie,
JOe
For all the people the U.S. borned I have a question, how do you like to be called? americans? Mexico is also in America, north americans? Canada and Mexico are also part of North America. Anyways, the gringo therm here has strong roots over the popular culture and for a kid without education and shoes will be hard to be removed from his small vocabulary. I'm sure Natali will asure that everyone was thankful for what they get, the word gringo was just a word used to define those people.
The respectful people of both countries should have the word gringo and beaner banned from their vocabulary.
Thanks for the shoes and for been here, I know that TOMs wheren't yours, but the fact that you have come as public figure will motivate more people!
Y si, estas muy bonita, admito estar enamorado de ti. Lastima que tenga novia :)
Thanks for your question. There are lots of way to identity yourself, but if you are asking nationality-wise, I prefer "American".
Yes, I realize that Mexico and Canada are in North America and their citizens can be called "North American" but that is a geographic identity not a national one.
Also, my question not was about what the kids meant when they said "gringo", but what were the things behind Natali's strong reaction to the word.
I enjoy her work and am interested in hearing more about her reaction to being called a gringo and what the word means to her.
Anything else I've missed?
It sounds like you agree the term gringo is "disparaging".
So, why is it only an issue that the term was used to describe folks who were trying to help? Would it be OK to call someone a gringo if they just happened to be passing through town?
It would not be socially acceptable to use a term like this for other groups, so I'm not sure why it would be OK in this scenario.
For the record, I am not suggesting that you have any ill-will, Natali. Through your TV appearances and blog, I have found you to be thoughtful, funny and open-minded.
I just wanted to prompt you to consider what it might feel like to be an innocent stranger on the receiving end of a term like "gringo," you know?
http://www.playpumps.org/
-joel from macupdate -- currently a gringo in Costa Rica. :)
Having the attitude of Gratitude will keep us close to 'Our Source of Supply' ie; God.
Keep being a LIGHT in a Dark World.