The enormous life of Anthony Bourdain, according to those who knew him best
gq.com
gq.com
But maybe it's better to give them contempt. Moral opprobrium, disgrace, dishonor, could help the marginally committed to turn back.
Contempt for such great human beings, who did far more with their lives than I ever will? No. Just for one choice.
The ability to not sympathize with that choice is a blessing, an apple you may be better off not eating.
> He just talked about what traveling the world would be like for him. He had gone to France as a kid, he had gone to Japan once, and that was it.
The fact that Bourdain not only achieved massive professional success after toiling in obscurity well into his 40s, but more specifically became the most famous traveler in the world after barely having traveled in 2+ decades of adult life is pretty damn impressive. Definitely gives weight to the argument that "it's never too late"!
macabre because of what you know now, or was there a shift evident in the tone/subject of the shows themselves?
It's sad, but he seemed to have lived a good life and at least was in control of his final journey — most of us aren't.
That's what made him stand out to me. He wasn't singing the praises of every place he went to. He was a real human being, exploring and talking about what he saw and felt while he was bouncing from place to place. Always a little dismissive, but not because he didn't care about the people or places he was visiting. More because he was an observer to the world, not a participant.
-- Orson Welles
I'm rarely saddened by celebrity deaths; Anthony Bourdain hit me right in the gut and it continues to hurt. Such a special person. Such a huge loss.
RIP Tony.
Apparently it was his favorite hotel, which didn't surprise me to hear. If you ever get the chance, trust his (and my) judgement and at least visit the town of Kayserberg, France!