If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.
I recently read celebrated chef and world adventurer’s book, Kitchen Confidential, and was so inspired by his train of thought, plus approach to life and travel that I subsequently started watching his shows and digging more into his life.
While going all in on adventure and seeking out life experiences, Bourdain was not trivial or thoughtless about his interactions and influence on the people he met and the places he went. Travel changes you, and it also changes the people you meet. In an interview with Joe Rogan, Bourdain gives a peek behind the shows and how he and his film team navigate the subtle nuances and the possible impacts that his show will have on the people after he is gone.
It’s a great demonstration of how, yes it’s great to seek out the experience; and that we need to be aware of how our presence affects the places we go, not just what we can take from our travel.
Before we go, one more memorable quote from the man himself:
“Nothing unexpected and wonderful is going to happen if you have an itinerary in Paris filled with the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.”
~Anthony Bourdain
