Singapore welcomed me with open arms five years ago when I decided to embark on a three week solo travel journey. As I explored the city, eager to eat my body weight in local cuisine, the news about Anthony Bourdain’s death hit me like a ton of bricks.
Bourdain was an inspiration to many of us, myself included. He encouraged us to explore the world through food and embrace other cultures, and this was my tribute to him back then: Here’s to Anthony Bourdain, a man who inspired a whole generation to explore street food. I’m sure wherever he is now, he’s in an alleyway hole-in-a-wall, having a good laugh with the locals while cracking a cold one. Rest in Parts Unknown.
Out of all the celebrity deaths, his was the one that impacted me the most. President Obama put it perfectly when he said that Anthony Bourdain made us a little less afraid of the unknown. That’s why I decided to solo travel, why I gave up being kosher and why I randomly put on Roadrunner last night, even though I’ve seen it before. His approach and humility to his adventures made travelling seem totally open and accessible. Before streaming and PVR, reruns of No reservations were my comfort food.
Rather than mourning someone’s death, I prefer to recognize their birthday. It focuses more on the entrance of a person into this world, rather than their departure. Anthony Bourdain was an incredible man who had a huge impact on my life, and his birthday is the perfect time to celebrate the legacy he left behind.