The legacy of Anthony Bourdain

If he were alive today, he would have turned 63 today, 25 June 2019. Anthony Bourdain inspired millions of people to take another look at how we travel and what we do when we are abroad. This article is based on a piece I wrote last year in Tbilisi when I learned he had passed away.

In an era where we seem to be fascinated with how fast people can visit every town and existing country, Anthony Bourdain taught me that traveling should be about life-changing experiences and the ability to step out of comfort zones. Packaging as many activities as possible in a week should not be a self-punishing obsession.  Mr. Bourdain literally changed the way I travel. I guess that’s why I’m not surprised by how personal his loss still feels.

Since humans are the only species that cook our food, his approach was to show food as the single unifier of our humanity. He also informed us that suitable and exciting food can be found worldwide and not only in a handful, primarily European countries, as we have been told by many other food programs. Most importantly, he always let the locals talk and explain their culinary choices while other vital issues came up.

In a world that’s painfully divided, Mr. Bourdain taught us that difference and otherness, whether it’s eating habits, culture, religion, or worldview, should not be something to be feared, but instead to be embraced. He had a way of making the world much smaller and happier than what we have been told. Through cooking, eating rituals, and the desire to share food with family, friends, and strangers, he made us aware of how truly connected we human beings are. That will be his lasting legacy in my mind. May he rest in peace.

Tbilisi, Georgia – Willemstad, Curaçao

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