Anthony Bourdain — sometimes with a beer (or cigarette) in hand — Showed you how to go somewhere. He is missed.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Travel Channel
Bourdain once said, “If I am an advocate for anything, it is to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food.”
The late chef, author, and unapologetically cool host of No Reservations gave you more than something to watch. He gave you a b.s.-free how-to for exploring the world; specifically, your world. Shoving frozen-bought potstickers in your mouth while pretending to eat from the same Dim Sum cart he ordered at is what you did. And it was “perfectly normal” (watch the clip below to catch that reference). You tuned in and you traveled with him.
Anthony Bourdain made it okay to be a human being. You can make mistakes, suffer, persevere, and get out of your comfort zone without leaving it behind.
Not all mistakes are of a willing ignorance or bad judgment. Anthony demonstrates that mistakes can “change your attitude in a way that gives you license to wander a little further, look back, realize what’s important in life, and hope to get it right.” (His words). Check out the “Beirut” episode (season 2, episode 14). Tony and the crew travel to Lebanon to show off the food culture and find themselves caught in a crossfire during a time when it might have been better to shoot “food porn” back in the States, or literally anywhere else.
Mistakes allow the little things to make the difference. The No Reservations crew would revisit, reshoot, and review how people come together in later “Beirut” episodes.
Grab some whiskey, coffee, soul-food and jump into the “New Orleans” episode (Season 4, Episode 5) where Hurricane Katrina devastates and government lags to aid. Restaurateurs build back their beloved city using culinary skills to re-establish routines, normalcy, and resilient attitudes.
Anthony Bourdain offered that you don’t simply watch life go by or opt for a cheap, knock-off version of reality (you can do better than frozen potstickers).
While he left too soon at age 61, re-run after re-run of favorite episodes continues to inspire a student-like audience who willingly challenge the human condition in search of the same adventure, culture, and legacy that Anthony Bourdain left for anyone to follow.
Inspire others. Share Bourdain quotes in the comments below.
By the way, the key to being a human being is scrambled eggs. Tony demonstrates:
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