There is yet to be another Anthony Bourdain...

'

Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash

I was rewatching some episodes of Parts Unknown and No Reservations recently and I feel like I am still mourning the loss of Anthony Bourdain.

I enjoyed watching his shows even when they aired live. It was something I looked forward to watching. Unlike many similar shows, it truly did feel like it was authentic, raw, and he never seemed to stray away from the sensitive topics. I think for me, what solidified him was his ability to go to places like West Virginia that to some act condescendingly towards for various classist and economical reasons and talked to the community to get their perspective despite vastly different political and world views. There really isn’t somebody I think that broaches and reaches acros to actively listen and understand the local communities. I think as a society, even though I think there are wonderful and good people such as Chef Jose Andres and World Central Kitchen - there is nobody that quite reaches the same level as of yet that Bourdain did. He somehow managed to hit the niche of former chef with an element of sarcasm and deep cynicism with a profound interest in learning and listening to locals. Most importantly, when he traveled, he didn’t behave like a tourist far removed from the local community or the discomforts.

I think that newer travel shows (I won’t name names) that have attempted to replace him by in large do not to hit the same unique authenticity and I think perhaps because so many are focused on hitting the luxurious spots. There is nothing wrong with watching travel shows on the nicest parts of Europe, but that isn’t the full picture of the world. I think the reason Bourdain was important is that he reached across the board. He didn’t just have a show for people that would travel, it felt like a show that was designed to bring awareness to people that maybe wouldn’t travel or couldn’t afford to. And that is a rare thing because so many shows that show travel are marketing towards people that can afford to go on a cruise, or visit all the locations depicted. His episodes went to places beyond the scope for many people and maybe even depending on the political situation where many could go. Take his Iran episode, it was important because it showed the Iranian people through the lens of them as opposed to their government and the narrative that is interpreted through the various media outlets. I think we need someone that manages to reach across cultures and borders and teach us all that at the end of the day we have so much to learn about each other and sometimes that can start with a simple meal.

Here are some of the quotes attributed to Anthony Bourdain that in particular move me most. Check out this article, and here are two of the aforementioned quotes that moved me the most. If you watched any of Bourdain’s shows or have read his books, feel free to add in the comments any of the memories or thoughts that come to mind when you think of him.

"Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind." - Anthony Bourdain

"If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food, it's a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move."