Travel writer and chef, Anthony Bourdain, said it best: “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 — leaves marks on you.”
I believe those marks are an avenue to cherish and fight for and want, as Bourdain also mentioned, “The extent to which you can walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food, it's a plus for everybody.”
Bourdain pushed people to move and change. Our minds are malleable with the experiences we encounter and it’s important to remember that once we meet people from different backgrounds, ages, races, genders, sexes, religions, etc., we gain something more. We see the world, not from our eyes, but from others; and by doing so, each of us can obtain a little bit more compassion and insight, but more than that, we recognize and can come to a better understanding of humor, humility, empathy, kindness, anger, joy, frustration, and love.
As Bourdain Day is fast approaching on 25 June - which is the late chef’s birthday - I would encourage you to, although we are unable to travel much throughout a global pandemic, travel through cuisine — either through food or drink, or better yet, both! — (which was Bourdain’s catalyst for travel) to better understand the world around us and to acknowledge, learn from, and embrace others’ cultures and backgrounds.
As Tony said, “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. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.”