We wanted Anthony Bourdain poet laureate
My husband and I liked watching Anthony Bourdain's shows and we are very sad to hear he is gone today. We both thought he should be the next poet laureate of the United States. He was a cultural ambassador traveling the world and showing the lives of people from other cultures to Americans that are cautiously curious. He got into places most of us could never see such as Iran and Lebanon, Myanmar and Russia. He was a classically trained French chef but said he found himself in later life becoming more content with basic foods like those sold by street vendors in foreign cities.
He was brutally honest about his addictions, failings and struggles in his younger years. He seemed arrogant but was humble all at the same time. He admitted his many shortcomings. He genuinly wanted to learn about the world, where people come from, what makes them who they are, what forms their culture and shapes their food! He was a modern day explorere and should have been a cultural anthropologist.
His use of food allowed him to connect with everyone everywhere. His sharp observations were shockingly raw and philosophical. He could summerize the mysteries of life in a few sentances on a beach or a while tasting a bowl of noodles in a foreign city street.
He talked about the dark parts of life that others on TV don't. He showed anger and frustration and despair. He was always funny even if it was at his own expense. At the end of each episode we were left feeling intrigued and curious however and ready to explore the world.
He also tackled the toughest political issues of his time. He addressed the corruption of many regimes and went to places many would not go. He tried to show that we are all human, all similar and should be more understanding and caring.
I truly wish he could have become poet laureate someday. He had so much wisdom to share but he didn't even know it.
Jessica
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Jessica,
First, I loved Anthony Bourdain and feel much the same (as you two) in my viewpoint and respect of his character. I felt his sincerity in the manner in which he spoke and approached others.
He is one of a kind and truly leaves a void in our pursuit of understanding our world of diversity.
Secondly, I had thought to write something in my posts about this event and its significance...In all sincerity however I would not have captured the man in the light you have just portrayed him.
Jessica you do honor to the humanity of Anthony as a person in his impact to us all...I stand truly grateful for your being here.
Finally, and for us all:
Life for it's many challenges: sometimes joy and others,sorrow
shines brilliant where we are willing to reach out and
share connection. Who I am; who you are; who we are together
this awareness and welcoming holds all possibility for a fuller
appreciation of our journey.
...In respect for Anthony and all that he was able to show us
Sincerely, David
Thank you so much David. I didn't respond to any of these after the very negative comment below. I appreciate your thoughts though!
Hey Jessica. Very sad all that took a tragic sidestep by I’d like to share something to bring a little perspective... give me a day to send a pm
Since his and Kate Spade's death calls to the suicide hotline have increased so for nothing else there's finally some attention brought to suicide but for how long. Sad that it takes a famous person committing suicide for this topic to be talked about
Good Morning Jessica,
As I said in my answer to Pauls very good post it is sad when people take their own life. However, just look at the world where people take peoples life with a frightening easiness.
Let's be respectful of each other so we can pass away at a very old age.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Hi Jessica and thanks for your beautiful post. I really enjoyed watching his show and being able to experience all those amazing places and people. It’s such a sad day. I never would have thought this would happen now.
We deal with these issues in our family and this comes so close to home. And with Kate Spade just the other day.
We need to be more open about these issues. They are becoming much too frequent.
I do appreciate your views and thank you for your kind words about Anthony.
Cheers
Suzanne
Hi, Swangirl.
Where did you get this information and why are you 'swinging it around?'
You know nothing about him other than what you are 'creaming from the crop..'
Simple: Do you know Anthony Bourdain, and how?
Please let us know.
If you know first hand knowledge then post. Otherwise be careful.
Do you have anything personal to say about him or just 'rubble' through the tabloids?
Response is required.
Thank you,
Paul.
Good Morning Paul,
I hope you do not mind me saying this but your message to Jessica would have been more appropriate sending it as a PM.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Hi, Taetske.
Good morning/afternoon to you also.
You are completely correct. If I have said anything to offend, I officially apologize.
Yesterday was a very difficult day for me. I lost a 'Brother in Arms.'
Chefs that come from the Paul Bocuse era are different than Chefs of today.
Chefs's today are gaining toward celebrity status. That actually may or may not help what we eat at the outlets.
You are very kind and considerate for making your comment.
I meant no harm or ill will to anyone. Just a frame of mind at the time.
If you would like to know more about Anthony and what he went through please download 'Kitchen Confidential'
https://joeandjin.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/anthony-bourdain-kitchen-confidential.pdf
Thank you Taetske for bringing me back to a proper state.
Peace and love,
Paul.
Good afternoon Paul,
Thank you for your nice reply. As I read your post first I think I can somehow understand your frame of mind. For you, it must have been upsetting news.
With best wishes, Taetske
Greetings, Taetske.
The news was not upsetting. It was devastating.
Thank you for your best wishes and consideration.
It means much.
I am seeing this pattern more and more of those born in the 50's and 60's.
Not quite sure what to make of it. Very disturbing none the less.
Peace and love to my friend from the South of Spain.
Paul.
Good afternoon Paul,
Thank you, I have downloaded the PDF. Michael showed me a video when he was in Haiti. I am from 1950 and once in my life, I thought it might be an option to step out and leave that mess I was in at that time behind me. I have furbabies and that made me realize I should not do it. After difficult times the sun is shining on me again. Difficulties are on our life path so we can learn.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Hi, Tate.
I am thrilled that the sun is shining once again and that the difficult times are now over.
Nothing short of complete peace, love and happiness is sent your way.
Kindest regards,
Paul.
RIP...However, I think that somehow people could avoid such drastic decisions finish lives in this way. Some too many great souls left Earth too soon. Avici left us, now him. Something is wrong and missing.
Yes Nemira, I do not advocate uicide, this is a terrible thing. But you can only know what torment someone is feeling if you are in their shoes.
My disappointment is from knowing that most of the people depend on chemicals. This stuff can lead straight to the rainbow world. Look at famous musicians and actors. The diagnosis always was mixed drugs. Bipolar problems can be eased or solved, schizophrenia too. It is a real thing, but nobody cares about it because of all commercials which go on TV promote drugs, not things which could help people. Why in Europe do we not have these problems? Of course, we have issues but the size is thousand times smaller compared with that is going here.
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Hi Jessica,
I also was shocked and saddened by the recent passing of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade. It’s unfathomable how two such highly gifted and inspiring people would choose to end their lives in this way. The only reason that I can come up with is that underneath the veneer of success they must have felt excruciating sadness and pain. It must have been just too much to bear.
Erica