you gotta see this......

Anthony Bourdain-No Reservations
I never thought I would like it: a travel show about an ex hippie stoner that seeks out the most disgusting cuisines in distant lands. Dave would watch it and laugh, and I would go into the other room. Dave reminded of the time that I chastised him for watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer only to find myself an adoring fan of the surprisingly profound and intellectual teen drama once I gave it a chance. So I gave in to those baby blue eyes, and braced myself for an hour of boredom as I sat down to watch an episode with him.

Anthony Bourdain is a chef and a writer, and his show is a perfect melding of these two arts. The first episode I remember was about China. He travels with a friend, usually some one he knows from his years as a chef. They go to the out of the way places far out of the "tourist" range and really explore the culture and the native food. He is invited into the homes of the locals and celebrates their customs with them. His narration is emotional-the mood ranges from witty to profound. It makes me think. It makes me laugh. It makes me want to write with a talent like his.In this episode, they are in a little restaurant at the local market. Him and his traveling companion are devouring some disgusting-looking squid ink dish and talking about how people, despite their differences, all want the same basic things. It is touching, hilarious and thought provoking. I am entertained and enlightened. I am linked with these people, these cultures so different than my own. I have been hooked ever since.

It is a show that blends the things that Dave and I love-writing, food and sarcasm. It has opened my eyes to many cultures and lifestyles. Even though it gets into some subjects that make me uncomfortable (an clip of Spaniards butchering a cow comes to mind) it is always presented as the true way that these people live. Though it may be offensive to some, it is every day survival for them, and that I can appreciate. It has made me appreciate things like running water and a bed to sleep in. It has opened my eyes to how we are all the same, how we all want the same basic things: good food, a sense of belonging, and faith in each other.