Bourdain’s Perfect Picture

By Alfredo A. Weeks VI

Anthony Bourdain. This guy had the world eating from the palm of his hands, through his show ‘No Reservations/Parts Unknown’. He had an amazing way to make viewers feel like anyone could walk into a neighborhood, and become one with a community. He put words together that spoke to us.

He said things that most people would like to say, couldn’t say or wouldn’t say. A bit of punk rock, mixed in with the gift to find great food and experiences anywhere. That’s what I think the rest of us saw him as, that’s how the rest of us missed the message.

Too often many of us have clicked on CNN on the weekend, just to find Anthony Bourdain’s eyes wandering through the streets, not of arrogance, but rather of “I’ve seen it before”. While we believe, he’s optimistic to find something authentic, without the blemish of the gimmicks.

We’ve seen how when Bourdain didn’t like something, he’d say it. If he was impressed he’d show it. I think very few people were able to accomplish what Bordain has, without using too much of a plastic smile.

“We loved what he had to say, even if we didn’t agree.”

From the outside looking in, even though his job was to travel, explore and engage with cultures many of us haven’t, it truly seemed as if he was looking for his eternal trance state of being. A life where it’s almost in a meditative state, found through new experiences and places. Only to discover that his new found love of a place, food, person or experience is short lived because of his lack of interest, or its lack of authenticity.

Weird how the word “authentic” was a word Anthony Bourdain hated most. Maybe because if you have to use it, it’s most likely not very authentic at all.

Today were all too familiar with people who travel for a living. Who are looking to find that great paradise of an escape. Social media accounts with millions of followers and friends waiting to see where you are going next, or experience what you’re about to share.

It’s all become jaded, commercialized and corrupted.

This is my interpretation in how Anthony Bourdain’s perception of the world may have been.

I ask, even if it all has become jaded, even if there are very few places left in the world that haven’t been overly commercialized or gimmicky, are some rocks better left unturned? Are there some experiences better left undisturbed, just to look forward to tomorrow?

“As if we had lent him our gaze for a moment, and everytime, his show captured exactly what we all were trying to contextualize.”

After you’ve traveled the world, met thousands of people, made friends and had adrenalin rushes in almost every corner of the earth, whats next? Do we continue to try and discover new things, hoping to find our own interpretation of Shangri-La?

I’ve never met Anthony Bordain, shook his hand nor believed in many of his morals. Yet, I respected the way he allowed his profession to transform into a language able to communicate with all.

Eating the crispies of pork skins, to having an ice cold beer non of which I am a big fan off. I still regarded him as a person of understanding and intellect, and I was a fan.

Taking a look at how many countries he’s visited, to crossing barriers. He was able to tell many of our stories strangely through our own eyes. As if we had lent him our gaze for a moment, and everytime, his show captured exactly what we all were trying to contextualize.

Words placed in the right moments just so viewers can be thrown a curveball, to remind all of us of his not giving shit attitude. We loved what he had to say, even if we didn’t agree.

Boredom of the facades and gimmicks is how I see Bourdain’s last moments. I could be wrong. I think Bourdain was Jaded of it all.

“We are more than a plane ticket to our next interesting destination.”

Many of us like being sold crap, many of us would rather be comfortable instead of being reminded that our comfort at times is dependent upon someone else’s oppression. Many times Anthony Bourdain didn’t shy away from those facts.

The world has witnessed oppression in various forms and failed to stand up and speak out. We acted as if we were too good to have our “Shangri-La” disturbed, and I feel Anthony Bourdain wanted more from us all.

I honestly believe Anthony Bourdain looked to have his life experiences become something far beyond bragging rights. I think he wanted us to understand that there is more to it.

We hear how he suffered from depression. Little did we know about the chef, the writer and father. Little did we know about the other stars who’s lives were short lived. Kirk Cobain, Robin Williams, Earnist Hemingway’s and Don Cornelius have all suffered from some kind of depression. I only wonder what would’ve been the answer for them to continue.

We will see the articles, the documentaries, memorials and social media posts, Only to play into the narrative Anthony Bourdain would predict.

We are all, so much more than what our social media feeds reveal. We are more than a plane ticket to our next interesting destination. We just might be more human without globe treking. Maybe instead of looking into the distance for clarity, everything were looking for could be standing right in front of us.

I’d like to remind everyone, how sometimes the people who seem to be the happiest could be bearing the biggest burdens. If you feel anyone is ever burdened beyond what they can handle please have them call the number below.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1800–273–8255.