Anthony Bourdain on travel, food and war

Blogs of War recently ran an interview with Anthony Bourdain and it's damned interesting. Bourdain, who has traveled the world (mostly to look at local cuisine and look a the food culture of the area) is a well-spoken man of keen insight. While not everyone agrees with his politics, his wit and his observations are worthy of consideration. Blogs of War editor John Little is obviously no slouch either. Even if you don't care for this piece on Bourdain you'd be well advised to keep an eye out for Little's work.

“Should I inquire of my Masai buddies if they still practice female genital mutilation? Express revulsion in Liberia over tribal practices? Fact is, the guy who's been patting my knee all night, telling jokes, sharing favorite Seinfeld anecdotes, making sure I get the best part of the lamb, being my new bestest buddy in Saudi Arabia will very likely later, on the drive back to the hotel, guilelessly express regret over what “the Jews and the CIA” did to my city on 911. What do you say to that? Or in Anatolia, the Kurdish religious elders there who asked me for reassurance that “Obama is indeed a Muslim, yes?”. I hated to disappoint them. So I didn't. My first obligation, I feel, is to be a good guest. I go to great lengths, and have had to choke down some pretty funky meals to do that. Its a strategy I highly recommend if you're looking to make friends and have a good conversation. Sometimes you have to take one for the team but its well worth it.” Anthony Bourdain

Read the whole interview here.