I am so saddened by this news.
Sitting down to write this, I’m struck by how much Anthony Bourdain influenced my life, without me even realizing it. Anthony Bourdain is one of the reasons I started traveling after college, and fell in love with it. One of my favorite things in the world to do now is go somewhere new, eat some delicious food, and get to know the people that live there. See amazing things I’ve never experienced before. To just be in a new place, where somehow it’s easier to be yourself. I’ve been to restaurants he’s been to, seen his picture on the wall as I enjoyed, quite likely, the same meal he had eaten. He was a guide for exploration, and an inspiration to get off your ass and go do something new.
Reading his book Kitchen Confidential awoken an even greater interest in cooking and food. Seeing that he was writing novels while working the kitchen all night inspired me, showed me that I could find the time too. That book also allowed me to recognize the struggles of addiction, of self-loathing, and most importantly, to see that we can overcome those things, and come out the other side stronger, a total bad-ass world traveler with clearer eyes and a more open heart.
His show impacted me deeply. It showed me how to be curious about others, empathetic, to recognize that someone who might be from somewhere different is actually probably pretty damn similar to me. A couple years ago I wrote about an episode he did that inspired me, which I’ve reposted above. In that piece I talk about meeting and talking with a Rwandan refugee driving an Uber in Austin, about the struggle of life in a refugee camp and making it here after many years. I had the courage to talk to him and ask questions, and gain a greater empathy and perspective, and a friend in that moment, in part, because of Anthony Bourdain.
I am so saddened for this loss, for the loss his daughter now has to experience, and everyone who loved him. He seemed happy, and that’s the saddest, most dangerous part of this all, I guess. It’s easy to hide pain or struggle. Talk openly and honestly with your loved ones, and get them help if they need it. Ask the uncomfortable question. Tell the uncomfortable truth about your own self. Get help for yourself if you need it. Too many good people are dying, and we need all of them we can get in this world today.