A Travel Show for the Interculturalist: "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations"

As an interculturalist, you would think I'd be a big fan of all travel TV shows, but I'm not.  Too often (at least in the past) the focus of such shows has been on the sites (this monument, this historical location, etc.) and not on the people and culture.  Also, too often the focus is on the destination and not the experience of the journey.  One of those travel shows that breaks this old mold, is "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" on the Travel Channel.  As evidence that this show digs a little deeper and shares with us the experience of the journey, let me offer the following quote from the Malaysia episode.  Bourdain, a chef from New York, says after his experience in Malaysia: 

"As you've  probably noticed I'm not an expert on the places that I visit.  I'm not an authority.  I'm a visitor, a traveler, an enthusiast.  Is it possible to feel enriched and hollowed out at the same time?  Travel isn't always pretty.  It isn't always comfortable.  Sometimes it hurts.  It even breaks your heart, but that's O.K.  The journey changes you.  It should change you.  It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, in your heart and on your body. You take something with you.  Hopefully,  you leave something good behind." (see also this video clip) 

What would you expect from a show with a promotional tagline of  "Be a traveler, not a tourist"?  You don't get this insight from the more traditional travel shows. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Bourdain show, visit the official site (Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations) which is part of the Travel Channel site. 

You can also watch the full Malaysia episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations online via Amazon's Unbox (it's like iTunes).  Speaking of iTunes,  let me check to see if the episode is available on iTunes and I'll post comment below.  The Malayasia episode is also available on the Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Season 1 DVD).  In season 1 Tony traveled to a variety of places including Paris, New Zealand, Iceland, Vietnam and New Jersey.

On U.S. television the show is now in re-runs and will return with new episodes on July 30th.  If you are interested in watching the show on TV, check out future "Intercultural TV" posts on this blog.  Details will be posted there.

For a deeper perspective on the intercultural journey, also see The Intercultural Sojourn as a Hero's Journey.