Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world, you change things slightly. You leave marks behind, however small – and in return, life and travel leave marks on you. Most of the time those marks on your body or on your heart, are beautiful. Too often though, they hurt.”
Yesterday, a tornado of heartbreak struck the globe after hearing about Anthony Bourdain’s passing. At just 61 years old, we lost an extremely talented and brilliant man.
After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America in 1978, Bourdain first became known for his bestselling book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly in 2000. Moving forward, he became a host for Travel Channel’s culinary and culture adventure program called Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations which was on air from 2005 – 2012.
In 2013, he switched over to CNN where his Emmy award winning show; Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown was born. The show follows Bourdain across the world where he showcases different countries and their historic cultural backgrounds.
To this day and forevermore, Anthony Bourdain is considerably one of the most influential public personas. Not only for his spectacular culinary achievements, television presentations or for his ability to compose several best selling books – but for his impactful character and intelligence.
It’s sad to think that he no longer walks with us on this earth, but the tools and education he left behind are enough for his soul to live on.
Below are some of Bourdain’s most memorable quotes which we believe everyone should live by.
If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better. I urge you to travel – as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them – wherever you go.
“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 and move.”
“Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.”
Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart but that’s okay. The journey changes you – it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart and on your body. You take something with you. And hopefully, you leave something good behind.
“Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don’t have.”
“You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.”
“Perhaps wisdom, at least for me, means understanding how small you are. How unwise you are and how far you have yet to go.”
I have come to the realize with certainty that I have the best job in the world and that I work with some of the finest people on it. To be able to go wherever I want, do what I want and then tell stories about what I’ve experienced is an incredible privilege. Who gets to do what I do? And when you’re that damn lucky, how do you stop? How do you ever get off the ride? Why would you?
Anthony Bourdain, you are gone but never forgotten. Thank you for everything you have created and for providing happiness wherever you went. We hope you’re finally at peace.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).