Thank you, Anthony Bourdain.

Summary

The author reflects on the life and impact of Anthony Bourdain, highlighting the importance of embracing food and culture when traveling.

Abstract

The author shares their thoughts on Anthony Bourdain, acknowledging that they didn't watch his TV show but were influenced by his book, "Kitchen Confidential." The author recounts their experiences in Thailand, where they were offered food by local mothers as a sign of kindness and caring. Despite concerns about sanitation, the author accepted and ate the food, forming a deep connection with the local women. The author emphasizes the importance of embracing food and culture when traveling, as it can lead to a better understanding and friendship with people from different backgrounds.

Opinions

The author believes that accepting and eating food offered by locals is a way to show respect and build connections with people from different cultures.
The author values the experiences gained from traveling and interacting with locals, as it can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
The author admires Anthony Bourdain for his ability to showcase the importance of food and culture in his work.

Thank you, Anthony Bourdain.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Anthony Bourdain. It’s not that I watched his television show. (I didn’t. I’m generally not a TV watcher.)

And it’s not that I yearn to swallow weird, exotic foods a’ la Anthony, such as the time he ate a cobra heart in Vietnam.

I did read his book, Kitchen Confidential, and my husband is such a fan that when Anthony was scheduled to speak in our hometown at the time, Santa Cruz, Mike was first in line to buy tickets.

But here’s the thing: I’ve been blessed to travel to many countries in my lifetime, and along the way I instinctively concluded what Anthony so famously and beautifully portrayed to his fans: Eat what you are offered. In many cultures (most?) offering food equates to kindness and caring.

For many years, I volunteered in an orphanage in the worst slums in Thailand. To thank me for teaching English to their students, local slum moms ~ who were the teachers at the orphanage ~ would bring me food from home. They knew I had a penchant for sticky rice and mango and would teasingly admonish me, “It will make you FAT!” But there were days they would proudly offer up something they’d cooked at home, especially sweets, carefully wrapped, and brought to the orphanage just for me.

I’d walked through the slums, and I could have judged the sanitation or lack thereof by Western standards. But I didn’t. I would willingly take what they gave me and eat it with gusto right there in front of them, knowing they were offering up what little they had to me, a foreigner, for no reason other than our budding friendship. I felt truly blessed. I’d say a little prayer as I swallowed, not because the food wasn’t delicious but because there was a worry that I could get sick. I never did. What I did get was an understanding and friendship with these remarkable women ~ in spite of the language and cultural barrier ~ that I wouldn’t give up for the world.