My Summer Vacation - Social Studies
I guess I should be writing about Laos, since that episode, the first of a new block of shows, is what airs tonight. But I wrote about Laos already, while I was still there, while it was still happening, still shaking off the cold from the night before, wood smoke from the morning fires still thick in the air. I recall a skeptical comment in response, suggesting the unlikely prospect of an internet connection in such rural conditions in Southeast Asia and that my post was clearly a fabrication.
How wrong can one be?
How wrong can one be?
One of the great wonders of the New World Order is how you can find an internet connection, a cell phone signal, just about anywhere. At a tiny bed and breakfast in a far flung 16th century village in Yunnan Province, high speed wireless that beats what I’ve got in my apartment in New York City. At home, my cell phone kicks out every time I cross Central Park. But in the mountains of Szechuan Province - where they still cook over wood - four bars and clear as a bell. Underneath every djellabah, abaya, burka and kente cloth, it seems, lies a cell phone. In a one horse town in the Moroccan desert, dirt floors, fly-blown market, and little else - there’s an internet café.
And yet, where I am now - on vacation in Sardinia - connection to the internet is a sometimes kind of a thing. It’s ITALY for God’s sake - in a rather luxurious hotel and spa in a mountain range near some major towns and yet, here I am, bent over my lap top in the lobby, the only place where there may (or more likely may not) be a signal. The flies on my currently blank screen only add insult to injury. Apricots, plums and figs are literally falling from the trees in the lushness surrounding me.
Unfortunately, that means a large and well fed population of the buzzing little f@#$%*! - everywhere. They’re all over my breakfast, my bar snacks, my sleeping daughter, my negronis, drawn to the sweet smell of freshly fallen, fantastically ripe fruit sizzling on red terracotta. There’s some kind of a metaphor here. I’m sure of it.
On the bright side, it’s spectacularly beautiful here and I’ve been fed like a visiting pasha by the large and very nice Sardinian wing of my new family. Meals usually start around here with a stack of “pane carasau,” thin, crispy flatbread - brushed with olive oil and sea salt. There are sausages, cured hams (put up special for family about six months ago), olives (from out back) baby artichokes and tiny asparagus in olive oil (also from out back), maybe some “malloreddus”, gnocchi-like things tossed with wild boar ragu, whole roasted suckling pig, or baby goat - accompanied by raw veggies from the garden. Or maybe - like last night - giant prawns, a seafood salad of mussels and octopus, followed by spaghetti with shellfish (they’re big on shellfish sauces here), lobster “a la Catalan” - in a sauce made from its own guts-or whole “spigola” (roasted fish) on the bone.
Afterwards, there’s fruit - always fruit. Cherries and peaches and the ubiquitous apricots, figs and plums. And there are excellent local cheeses. If you’re really lucky (and I was), the legendary sun-ripened Pecorino - wriggling with essential maggots, but so creamy delicious you don’t care - and a bewildering array of precisely crafted Sardinian sweets. Oh - and there’s wine. Lots of that. They have that here too.
From Tuscany to Sardinia and now to Lombardi for a couple of days and then the long drive to Rome and then home - and back to work. Meaning: Mexico, DC, Vietnam, Venice, Chicago, Ethiopia, Provence, Thailand - and some other places I forget right now.
Anthony, love your show. When I read that you were going to do a show on the "Azores/New England, Portuguese nexus" I had to thank you. Being a Portuguese New Englander I don't think that my heritage gets enough recognition on TV today. I think it's great that your going to visit my area and I hope that you enjoy the food and the culture, in my opinion its some of the best in the world. If you end up coming to M***be sure to visit New Bedford, its got some of the best Portuguese food in all of New England (Especially my grandmothers Cacoila, traditional Portuguese pulled pork) I don't know if you would be interested but if you come to New Bedford I'd like to treat you to some traditional home cooked Portuguese food. If you're interested feel free to contact me via e-mail. Good luck with the rest of the season Mr. Bourdain, Cheers!
-Julian Pinto
Love the show, love you. good to hear the maggot infested cheese meets your approval.
Just one second though: wtf was up with your Cleveland episode? Awesome idea... just make it happen in Columbus! one of the drunkest cities in the US... you'll fit right in.
I've been traveling to Tanzania annually for the past four years. It never fails to amaze me that I get great cell phone coverage in the middle of the African bush- but struggle with dead zones where I live in the Silicon Valley. It just might have something to do with the fact that the African cell phone companies have no problem putting cell phone towers up wherever- while city ordinances at home make it a major ordeal to get a new cell tower put anywhere!
Hey love the show, how about you go to the Adriatic coast. I know you have been to Greece, but try Sarajevo, Bosnia for some Cevapi, and Pita. You can also try Budva Montenegro for the scenery and the food.
Tony, I hope your vacation in Italy was relaxing you do need a vacation, because you work to hard you know.
Wow another trip to Vietnam, but wait a minute you want to live there for a year and write a book about living in a SE Asian country, (BTW, I will be first in line to buy the book after you have written it).
Yes, your'e going back to France I loved the Paris episode, but this time you will be down in the Southern part of France I believe.
Now a country for your consideration the Czech Republic it's a beautiful country and Prague is an awesome city to visit. A wonderful street food vender in Old Town Prague (he sells HOT DOGS and they are grilled, no dirty water in sight), Best hot dog ever!
Looking forward to the Laos episode Monday night.
Tony
Not another gushing comment, but something I think you should consider...
So, who am I to argue with a taste embraced by both notorious drug lords as well as former Hollywood bad&%$es? Aviators. More specifically-- Aviator sungl&%$es. A singular, distinct look sired from the hands of a lab rat at Bausch & Lomb some 70 years ago. Quickly adopted by the military ilk, from there the Hollywood glitterati, and then onward to the common man on a nothing-but-meteoric scale. The most iconic sungl&%$es ever developed, boasting an extended shelf life that sees no end in sight.
Despite seeing them in movies like Top Gun as a young and impressionable child, it wasn’t until the day I saw a photo of my father sporting the shades that they first came into my full attention. The photo taken circa 1975 when he first moved to the states reflected the fashion for the nonce. Cigarette dangling precariously from his lip, pants tight and high at the hips coming to an exaggerated flare at the bottom, nearly-effeminate Italian leather boots below the cuffs, splayed open collar on a form-fitting shirt, and just a few inches above a robust mustachio the dark black gl&%$y lenses, metal-rim frame, and the distinct look of “The Big Metals.”
Thirty years from when that photo was taken, the eyewear still wildly popular. They punctuate the cool. They shroud the ugly. A fashion panacea worn by everyone and anyone. Hanging on the faces of the unauthentic, the unoriginal, the wellborns, the diplomats, the pacifists, the warmongers, the ones that carry low-life Visas, the “in” hip-hop artists, the A-listers, the C-listers, the anxious prom dates in penguin suits, the rookie sheriff walking the beat, and the retired veteran in the bank checking on his monthly Social Security direct deposit.
As pizza is a social neutralizer, this ocular icon is that and more. Social, economic, cultural, generational, and religious allegiances have no bearing on this single piece of eye wear. As U.S. military pilots wear these in the cockpit so do rebels spilling out of pick-up truck beds in Africa while producing conflict diamonds. Pablo Escobar, Saddam Hussein, dead Kennedys, Nicolas Sarkozy, Dick Cheney, Theodore Kaczynski, and David Koresh may not have had parallel ideologies but the literal lenses they peered through were the same. Seventy-one years ago, the U.S. patent no.D292984 was issued and the faces of the world and the reflections looking back have never been the same.
Mr. Bourdain, the wrap-arounds are slick. But, honestly, I think you should be sporting aviators. I hold you up in the ranks with Steve McQueen and Hunter S.; both avid wearers of the ave's. I will personally send you my own pair of RB3267's, if you promise to wear them. I can't wait for the new season and particularly Vietnam- my parents' original birthplace.
Peter M. Tran
Lincoln, NE
Your vacation's report reminds me I'm not going to have any summer holiday this year.... how sad... how envious! :P
While you're on your way for Lombardia, why don't you have a stop in Parma? ;) It's worth it!
Hiya Tony; yet another fan here. I think it's extremely kewl that you are, in addition to being a chef, a gifted wordsmith. Following your travels we have ruminated on cities you have yet to visit and the one place that keeps popping up is the third largest city in Nevada, aka Black Rock City. Any chance we'll see you on the Playa this year? It would be better than Namibia, but I'm not sure how much better. I'm living in hope of your description of travelling and eating your way through the strangest city in America!
You make food sound so wonderful & romantic...I need to clean the monitor again.
Happy travels & stay safe.
I swear you could fall off into a ditch in some village near "who the $%#@ cares" and yah! Still have a connection. I mean, I get what you mean. That our local diner might give a low internet/cellphone reception. But when you're standing next to the forest with a tree that has another 100,000 acres of trees that look just like the one bestowed upon you (Which will later be used for Anthony's next 300+ page book,) (hah no no no just kidding... Hippie's rule. Without my parents and their Hippie brought up ways, I'd just be another hip-hop listening "white kid." And if it wasn't for the underground punk rock uncle, and father as well I'd be another emo kid. But I can't stand in front of anyone's beliefs, and point and laugh at them. But the thought of emo music makes it just a little bit easier.)Onwards. It just proves we have these "things" in the sky shooting rays all over the world and we must include the cell-phone, and now wireless internet towers replacing these trees that once stood in the forest. And thank God because now Sally-Sue can be sure to call or email her Momma, tell her that she will be home for supper or that she wrecked the $80k Mercedes. It's intense, but it will be weird when the day comes that a man and his girlfriend who are constantly compelling sounds/words into their bluetooth-built-in- the-side-of-the-head-"are you talking to me?"-phones? can obtain a superb connection while the two are at their weekly side by side Manicure/Pedicure in the nice resort of Alaska foot-in white sand shore-side beach with drink in hand. Which seems to be the new hot spot in our future times...wouldn't that be nice? When this global warming happens and ends with my prediction being right you will feel salty when I am the first investor in this project Alaska. ;p haha o man having to much fun on here at an early hour. Anyways Anthony, like many fans will say you are a cool guy doing what a lot of people would like to do. I have had this dream to be doing something similar when I was in my early teens doing the whole stoned expanding my thought of life and where I wanted to be 10 years from now. I wrote down what it was I could do--what I liked to do...And what I wanted to do. And it came to me that Writing, being an author following my fathers footsteps and making something of it would be great. I wrote a lot of poetry and short stories, facts on life anything that came to mind, but these are types of writing I consider should be a hobby style of writing. I mean %$#@ not many people are reading much poetry these days. But the thought of traveling came quick and after traveling to Israel in 2005 and tasting real Mediterranean food prepared in custom ways, seeing the fresh markets and the people, the people make this all possible, I realized what my focus could cover. And by putting everything together and writing what I went though during my escapades would make a lot of sense and to hopefully be amusing and helpful at the same time somehow. But what really put everything into a prospective was when I first caught a random viewing by flipping through the channels and coming across "No Reservations" and saying that is what I want to do. Anthony Bourdain is a genius. So I have put you in a spot as a mentor, someone to learn off of and not imitate but take notes and hopefully by graduating from the Midwest Culinary Inst. will guide me towards knowing as much as possible about the culinary arts and take it to the next level. Cooking has always been in my life, but you did shine some light on what life is like in the kitchen and that I could relate too and becoming a "Chef" rather than what my Thai manager calls me .."Kitchen Helper" will mean a lot to me... so I am done...praises and keep pumping the fist. This next season is going to be the $%#@ and I can't wait for Laos
I love your show and your blog.
It's all that clear air out there. Good for th emind as well, I'd suppose. Looking forward to tonight - my kids need their geography lesson.
Can't wait for the new show tonight, enjoy your vacation!!
..."gnocchi-like things tossed with wild boar ragu, whole roasted suckling pig, or baby goat - accompanied by raw veggies from the garden. Or maybe - like last night - giant prawns, a seafood salad of mussels and octopus..."
dear tony: you suck.
there, i feel better now. looking forward to tonight's show.
Great to hear from you, Tony. Keep the descriptive blogs coming and stay well. Enjoy your "vacation." Hope you had a great birthday, btw. Cheers, artnlit a.k.a. Bonnie
in Pittsburgh
Big fan as well of your writing, shows, and the Les Halles cookbook!
I live in Leonia and have heard that you used to live here a long time ago. I think I found your old house.
Looking forward to the new shows. Thanks for all the great words, entertainment, and chef philosophy!
"Unfortunately, that means a large and well fed population of the buzzing little f@#$%*! - everywhere. "
Vacation, Sardinia, those vistas and that menu....
It really must suck being you.
I swear I've had this day marked on my calendar for months. NR is one of the best shows on tv. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through your adventures Tony. Ciao!
Read your book Kitchen Confidential this weekend in the cabin, by myself, in northern MN. Unbeleivable and great!
Get some sleep you need it.
I hope you have a incredible summer. As TheWaveLife posted above "Thanks for letting us live vicariously through your adventures Tony." I used the word, vicariously, just last night as I was explaining how I felt about your show to my girlfriend. I'm obsessed and excited for the new block of shows!
I borrowed Nasty Bits from the library and then had to buy your fiction. I flew through The Bobby Gold Stories and Bone in the Throat, Just starting Gone Bamboo. Thanks again for the quality entertainment in both mediums.
Tony,
No Reservations sets the standard for television. Period. I never miss an episode and my husband Martin and I talk about the shows afterwards. The locations, writing, attitude -- all of it -- leave us laughing, salivating for the great food and drinks, and wishing we had a job more like yours!
Like you, we love Southeast Asia. Your chapters on Vietnam amount to as good as if not a better travel guide than Lonely Planet and the DK booklets.
Please keep doing what you do. We love it!
Sincerely,
Laura Saul Edwards
Arlington, VA
Hi Anthony,
I love your show and I think you are so cool, no you're not getting old at 50, you're getting better, like a fine wine. I enjoy traveling with you to Singapore and other wonderful places of the world, even if it's through the tele.
donna
Sardinia -- sounds like you spent some time at Su Gologone. Nice place, great views, good food, killer m&%$age.
Jesus Christ, Tony, am I supposed to be getting turned on reading your description of the food?
Anthony, I enjoy watching your show especially because I don't do a lot of traveling myself. I am looking forward to tonight's show in Laos. I'm a third grade teacher to second language learners in Central California, and a lot of my students' families are refugees from Laos. I'm still learning about their rich culture and I think your show will help.
Anthony, you are the ultimate bad boy. Cynical, grumpy but loveable you. I adore your show and never miss an episode. I look forward to the new season. Keep up the good work and please keep breaking all the rules. You have a fan for life!
Thanks for another season Tony, we're really looking forward to the new episodes!
By the way, WHAT the - what's up with this new kid on the Travel Channel - you know the one I'm talking about - black jacketed, pseudo GenX "hipster" Bourdain Wannabee Ripoff?
Did they think we wouldnt catch on? LOL.
"Woo, I'm sardonic, I'm wry, watch me travel and make smart remarks" - uhh, I think there's a little more to it, thanks. "Grease" auditions are down the street.
I see a fellow Columbusite preceded me...
"...Just one second though: wtf was up with your Cleveland episode? Awesome idea... just make it happen in Columbus!"
True we have it all, if you can wade thru the glut of fast food and chain restaurants, here and there are still a few cl&%$ics. We got 'cher microbrewski's riiiiiight here. And gee, Bobby Flay was here for the big Brownie Throwdown, y'know. Help!
Please keep the show up as long as you can. It's a nice legacy for your family, and we need your quiet voice of reason...
::slight spoiler alert::
I watched a sneak preview of the Laos episode last night (%$#@ing yay Verizon On Demand) anyway...the dinner with the family of the man that lost his arm and leg is brutal to watch. It made me sad, angry and embarr&%$ed of our government all at the same time. And it's freakin' 30 YEARS later. I could also tell you were about to crack at one point. Nice to see that.
Great episode. Can't wait for the rest.
Thanks.
I watched the re-run of your indonsia visit and you really looked as if it really was the end of the road for you, did you really feel as if you could make indonisa your home??
anthony,
we love your show and your down-to-earth observations of life. anthony/good humor/good food. win win win.
love,
lee and family
Did I read correctly, you have a daughter?
When and where will you be filming in Chicago? I'd love to see what you have to say about the food scene in the Windy City. My wife and I really enjoy watching your show.
Rob
Chicago, IL
Tony,
Im so psyched for tonight and the whole new season! Having met you during the FAN-atic thing along with everyone at ZPZ, I feel a personal connection to the show now, plus I became a bigger fan when I saw how genuine you and everyone involved with the show really are.
Im stoked about the Laos episode because, like you, I am absolutely in love with southeast Asia, mostly Thailand for obvious reasons, but Laos was another country I was interested in visiting on my next trip out there. Then Colombia, my home country (another show my friends and family are anxious to watch and record), and then the Saudi Arabia/FAN-atic episode featuring the awesome Danya, my fellow finalist and winner, plus a cameo or two by yours truly.
No Reservations is, to drop a quote from Anchorman, the f@#$ing balls man.
Happy travels and enjoy your vacation mate! Soon enough you are going to be in exotic locales surrounded by cameras while getting tasered, tortured by an Uzbek "m&%$uese", punched in the face by Miguel Cotto, or crushed by an ATV all while WE, your so-called "fans" chuckle with delight at your televised misery.
It's not that we dont love ya man, we do, but its not unlike the love you have for your best friend, eventhough you still laugh histerically when he gets kicked in the crotch and is writhing in pain.
Yours is indeed, a strange type of celebrity.
Out.
Thank the food gods that there is a new season starting tonight. take care.
Happy belated birthday, Tony! We have the same one! Love you, love your show and can't wait for the new season tonight!!!
I agree with an earlier post...instead of Cleveland, you should have went to Columbus! Believe it or not, just got back from a vacation there this week and wow! The food scene was great, clean, fresh, and surprisingly cool. If you like food, eating, and drink(ing), you'll love Columbus!
One of my favorite places was the North Market downtown. Oh my gosh! Jeni's Ice Cream, oh my! Pure Imagination Chocolatiers, oh yea! Wine, beer (micro brews as well), and of course, Columbus's unique drink called "The Cactus Bowl" that can be found at a few local seedy establishments. Get it, try it, and enjoy being drunk my friend.
Of course my absolute favorite part about my Columbus trip was that it was where I bought two of your books, Anthony. Almost finished with Kitchen Confidential and am eagerly looking forward to the No Reservations book!
Anthony Bourdain is someone I look up to everyday for life lessons. I love to read, write, travel, eat, and get f***** up! Tony is helping me with the last one.
Hello Anthony,
You are the coolest. Love watching your show. Appreciate that you keep an open mind when traveling.Thank you for not putting other culture's food down like that bald headed guy on the same channel.
So nice to read something again - I love the show but enjoy your writing more. That said, NR is the one and only reason we still have cable. Seems ridiculous to pay $50/month just for NR, but there it is.
In travels I've also wondered about the cell-phone coverage thing. Two ideas: (A)regulations as to how much scary radiation they can emit may vary from place to place so maybe they're stronger on other countries (put your daughter in a lead suit...) and/or (B) in extremely rural areas communication is difficult and sometimes extremely important - for emergencies, etc - so people are more careful about coverage. I saw some sort of a thing one time on how valuable cell phone technology has been to traditional north African cultures/nomadic/semi-nomadic/isolated agrarian communities, and how it's actually changing the cultures. I wonder if you encountered any of that...guess I'll have to keep the cable and find out this season.
Anyway - I guess in places where a cell phone can save your life, it's very important to be able to use one - whereas in places where cell phones are merely a reminder of meetings, responsibilities, and obligations, it's nice to have places you can go and late say "oh...sorry I missed you call...I must have been out of range!" Enforced relaxation. I was on a idyllic lakeside quay recently and looked down through about 6' of clear water to see a Nokia sitting on the bottom of the lake. Sounds about right, if you ask me.
Besides, with all those flies to annoy you, who needs phone calls?
Thanks for the entertainment and enjoy your vacation!
Looking forward to the new season -- and your new schedule looks just as good.
Ethiopia? Chicago? Thailand, geez pal, you have a schedule I would die for.
I have to record the show...The Boy is in California for the week. I'm going to watch it anyway.
My offer stands. I'll stand the first round of drinks if you come to my local in Chicago.
Thanks Tony for keeping it fresh and bringing the real world to TV and the printed page.
I've been watching since God made dirt and still notice something new in each of the reruns.
Living outside the USA in challenging
places puts life into perspective,
I've lived in a few. You and the team keep bringing it and we'll keep supporting it.
Lots O Love
Tony-
You are a big inspiration. I’m 24 years old and just returned from a busy year living in South Korea and traveling Asia. I’ve spent first few days back in NJ recovering from jet lag –eating good -yet boring American food and watching No Reservations like a zombie all day long. I couldn’t be happier. Thanks Tony, Cheers.
-Todd
I became a fan of your show several months ago and now watch regularly. I enjoy your insights into the various cultures and your sense of humor as funny things happen along the way.
I plan on checking out some of your books now.
As mentioned by Rob in a previous post, would love to know when and where your taste of Chicago will be. So much to see and do here. Looking foward to the new episodes and what you will share.
Lisa
Chicago, IL
Anyone doubting the potentials for internet connectivity in Lao need only to check out what the Jhai Foundation is doing there http://www.jhai.org
I love Lao... one of the best places I've ever travelled to. Thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm for the country.
Is it a little surreal to have random strangers tell you how much they love you? Well... we do cuz you're bad $%#@ who gets to do $%#@ we wish we could.
Surreal or not-
EB
Great to discover the blog - Sardinia sounds grand and who, nowadays, wouldn't expect remote internet access? I have to thank you for teaching me how to make demi-glace (though the last lot was so intense it turned my piss a very strange colour!) and it's your fault my hand is bleeding as I type, due to a chopping wound inflicted earlier from a Global knife. But it's all been worth it. Stop off in London on the way back and I'll cook for you! Wish we had the show over here...
Thanks for your show ,you are really helping me ( male/47) from falling into deep despair, really bad 2 years .I would like to know why no one ever goes to the Dominican Republic? it must be a really bad place .
again thanks
Will
First off, I have been watching your show for some time now, and as a person that is in the business of media, I must say that it is probably the most creative (and comical) show that is on television right now! I love hearing about foreign countries, but when you explore them from a culinary standpoint, you are able to dive much deeper than one could ever imagine. Couple that with the adventures of your random travel buddies (especially the one in Russia!) and you've got a show that just plain rocks. I am looking forward to your new episode tonight! Keep them coming and we will be watching.
Thanks,
Alfred
First I cannto wait for tonights episode, as Im hoping to go to Laos after I graduate from college.
Second, when will you be in Rome and Venice (doubt you answer, or read this) but I thought Id ask, I leave for my first trip to Italy next wednesday the 16th. cant wait!
Keep up your amazing work, have a fabulous time in Thailand, which is my personal favorite place on earth!!! I could for sure go bamboo there
First I cannto wait for tonights episode, as Im hoping to go to Laos after I graduate from college.
Second, when will you be in Rome and Venice (doubt you answer, or read this) but I thought Id ask, I leave for my first trip to Italy next wednesday the 16th. cant wait!
Keep up your amazing work, have a fabulous time in Thailand, which is my personal favorite place on earth!!! I could for sure go bamboo there
Ahhh Bourdain, you're killing me. You've been all over Asia but haven't made an episode in the Philippines yet!
I am very excited for the American Southwest episode though. I've traveled through it the past 3 years and I absolutely love it. I hope you made it to my hometown of San Diego. Best Mexican food in the country.
Wonder what Anthony takes for jet lag.
I think it's amazing that when you go to Korea, Laos, Cambodia, China, etc. that the elephant in the room (eating dogs) isn't even mentioned. The fact is is that kayogi is whispered amongst the Western world, but it's a highly prized meal in a lot of those countries, but apparently your not even bringing it up is even beyond your far-reaching pale. How about helping to end this abuse and mention it and get your two cents in about this vile practice going on today and perhaps your show will have done some good, rather than watching you go around the world eating and bashing America whenever you can (who by the way is buying your ticket buddy).
Hey Bourdain,
How many episodes are you going to do in Asia? We've seen Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea, China, Japan......you name it. And tonight its Laos? Ever hear of Europe? Can we please see an episode west of Tibet?
I'm glad to hear you got yourself out of the literal craphole and into some great Pecorino. Looking forward to tonight's show in just a few seconds.
I can't wait to see where you go in Chicago so I can add them to my ever-growing list of places to try if I haven't already been. And hopefully you will have yourself some now-legal foie.
Wow...just saw your response to the man asking "Are you afraid of seeing the reality?"......AMAZING....your response was PERFECT, INCREDIBLE....I can't even believe it!!!!! You make me laugh and bring out the immense cynic in me...not the bleeding heart....I love it!!!!!! Love YOU!!!!!!!!
Just got back into town from the serene swamps of Louisiana - alligators, cypress trees, peach moonshine... beautiful stuff. Visiting with the boyfriend's family never calls for a dull moment when it involves drinking beers while riding in the tail-end of a pickup truck. Weekends like these make us think of you Mr. Bourdain, and we thank you for publicizing the need to go local whereever your travels take you. We love your show and keep going whereever the hell you want to go. Looking forward to the new season! We know you're busy with family and work, but if your travels ever take you to Houston, TX for any reason, my mom could make you the best bowl of bun rieu, bun bo hue, banh xeo, or any other Vietnamese dish your gut desires.
Disclaimer: We're not as redneck as that pickup truck comment made us seem to be.
Tony,
I am moved after wathcing your show on Laos. You were right, this is one country that the World has forgotten, but its a shame that many Americans do not know about its past, let alone that is exists. This is real Travel man!, something I rarely see on TV - You told the Truth or better yet you showed what the Truth was - the Dirty Truth. Keep up the good work.
Bravo.
Anthony, I'm in the middle of watching the episode on Laos and I'm finding it very moving. I wanted to send you the link to the film Bomb Harvest (http://www.bombharvest.com/filmmakers.html) which I saw in Byron Bay, Australia last November. I live in the US (DC) and after I saw this I tried to think of ways to persuade local independent theaters to show it. I never pursued the idea but I do think it is something that every American should see. Interestingly I was raving to one of my bosses about 'the carpet bombing of Laos by the US' afterwards and was surprised by his defensive reaction. Turns out he did a few of those bomb runs and is still living with the guilt!
Hello Anthony! Words cannot describe how much I look up to you. As I read your blog, I can faintly hear your voice reading along with me, your choice of words could not be any more intriguing. I am currently watching your new episode in Laos, a newly found interest due to your exploration. I hope you had fun this season (which I know you did, as long as you did not have to participate in any karaoke in Tokyo ... which is nothing short of wishful thinking)!
-James
Hey guys. Thanks so much for going to Laos. Everyone should take the time to watch this episode. Great way to start the new season. Can't wait for more. ps Tony. We really enjoied the lecture in Seattle!!
So I'm sitting here halfway thru the Laos show, and I'm blown away as usual. I'm jealous, envious and wanting to whip out my p&%$port and run up my credit card. Once again, you've managed to weave a show that mixes food with politics/history, and just life in general. (what the hell-- no helmet laws in Laos,are there?? ) And it kinda just says it all, when you stand there and you're confused because you're not your typical cynical bastard self. It's nice to see you almost human every now and then.
I'm not going to babble on here--but I do want to say that I started watching No Reservations, then found out you were actually a writer at one point (gasp!), so I read every single thing you wrote, and in fact have them all on my shelf, right next to Stephen King and Clive Barker. And you will always have top shelf rights in my house.
Ann
Caitronia--do some history research please--your ignorance is overwhelming.
Tony:
I just watched the Laos episode. I can only say it was Brilliant !
Beautiful episode on Laos, Mr. Bourdain. Heartbreaking isn't it, that 30 years after, innocent people die and lose parts of their body by what was left by war.
Tony, Thank you for the incredible journey to Laos. I too was humbled watching what our country did to Laos, and left all the land mines behind. I never thought I would shed a tear and pray for the safety of the residents there, when tuning into travle /cooking show.This is also the first time I have ever posted a blog anywhere on the net.
On a lighter note, you must have a cast iron stomach, this coming from a meat and potatoes guy from Titusville Florida. This was a show of emmy quality. Thank you for this journey that I will long remember .-and continue to pray for all people in Laos,
Tom Foster , Titusville florida
Wow! Kinda speechless right now. Ive never responded on one of these blogs before. But ive been watching your show for a couple years now. I tell everyone to watch and get that, "oh its a travel show", remark.
This show on Loas shows just how real you are. Keep it up.
Tony -
I had a crappy day today but watching your new Laos epi tonight took a lot of the sting out of it. It was great to just sit down, forget about what happened today, and listen to some really good storytelling (complete with lots of pretty pictures).
Thanks, Tony!
P.S. And it made me seriously hungry, too.
I have just graduated with my degree in English and have been searching for jobs to reward my hard work only to find that the only jobs out there are there to induct me into the slavery work force of America. So depressing. How fantastic it was to watch your newest episode and remember that I still have many places to see and many journeys to embark on. To be concise: ahhhhhh, so nice to have your fresh perspective on the world being fed to me through my television.... Relentlessly inspirational. Hope you enjoyed Sardinia and thank you for a reason to look forward to Monday night.
Dear Tony,
I just finished watching your episode to Lao, and I would like to thank you for showing my beautiful country in your show. As a Lao person, I was impresseed in how you captivate the essence of Lao (Too bad you didn't stay a little longer in the capital, since I am from Vientiane) My reaction to the bombing segment is typical, I was sad and a little angry. But I realized that that was in the past now, and nothing can change it. Yes, we might be one of the poorest, least visited, and least industrialized South East Asian country, but we have big hearts and pride. We cannot offer 5 stars hotels or other luxurious services, all we can offer are traditions and lots of Lao love. Next time you can visit Van Vieng and more of Vientiane. Thanks again, and I can't wait for your next episode!
Hmmm... burned out, worn out, out of words? I admit, the thought crossed my mind. I was getting worried after last season, but y'all took the vitriol of the online Romanian community and turned it to pure gold this season. Beautiful shots of the countryside, insightful interchanges, beautiful food, a laugh or two with the elephant--you all deserve a terrific vacation.
On that note...pig, oh glorious pig. I think I may have shocked myself just a little when I drooled on the keyboard from the description of the food. It's like the Forum of the food world.
Dude... sounds wonderful. Enjoy the wine and your vacation.
How lucky one must be to eat such fabulous food and not have to work it off! oops...
I guess you do..
" Fruit flies fly to fruit, where maggots grow on meat. But in Italy one cares not for this only but to eat."
Brilliant!
J.
Tony,
Excellent show this evening. I'm glad you're back with us. You and your staff do great work. I am very pleased to see "DC" on your list! Besides Jose Andres (who has brought us up a notch) we've got Ethiopian, half-smokes, great Vietnamese, taxation without representation, streets recovering from '68 still, and there might be some Republicans left eating steak. E-mail if you need a guide!
--Erin
great episode about Laos, good to see The Prince ride an elephant and Vahn making food in Luang Prabang before the Music and Dancers.The Auberg is the coolest[literaly temperature wise]place to have a drink. Hope you saw the Cave of Buddas up river from the Lao-Lao village? and I am sure you sampled plenty of the excellent Beer Lao....Best
Watching tonight's episode, all I could think of was how much I desperately wanted pho from watching you eat in Laos. Silly, right? Well, thanks to you, now I'll dream of South East Asian food all week. Broken up, of course, with nightmares about our country killing innocent people 30 yrs later in Laos. (Really, though, I appreciate that you try to open your viewers eyes.)
Have a great vacation with your family.
I posted something to your blog. But I didn't gush, so I received an error that my text was wrong. So I had to start again.
Cheers on your enlightment on war. And thanks so much for telling Americans the reality of war, apparently we have no clue. I will tell that to myself when I think of my cousin and a good friend in Iraq. I will tell that to their parents and family members.
I hate war and wish we lived in a world free of violence. I hate to think of the man working on his home, only to have his limbs blown off my ordinance from the 60s and 70s. I hate to watch the Interahamwe brutally murder women and children for no apparent reason. I hate to watch those documentaries on Vietnam where the bodies of soldiers on both sides are kicked aside, like old dirty flip flops. I hate to think about the times I was kicked, terrorized, and har&%$ed by the kids in my neighborhood for being the wrong color. Of course, I am taking liberties with the idea of War - kind of like you were tonite in your duties to show America the reality of war.
I enjoy your show and look forward to your episodes. I was geeked for the start of your new season recorded your show this evening on my TV downstairs because I didn't want to miss a moment as I planned my Tuesday workday. Your show tonite did not disappoint. It moved me to post to your blog; something I don't regularly do.
I feel it was presumptuous for you to say that you were showing Americans what war is. I think there are a lot of Americans who have an excruiating idea of what war is. Those who fought and died, those who survive and those of us who wait for our family and friends to come home. While you were eating salty oysters from the sea or doing blow in your kitchen, there were plenty of people in American suffering the realities of war.
It's great to provoke and it's fun to watch you, but you showing Americans what war is? Now who's the arrogant American?
Cheers to your new season! You do make me want to see more of the world.
Anthony
great show tonight. I really appriciated how your film crew captured the mist in Laos. The food looked incredible, and despite the fact that they are extremely poor and live in a world that is not as sophistocated as ours, there is still a richness there. Something about the monks that walked by, that collected the alms from strangers on the street was very powerful. It teaches me a lesson in that we, that have everything, do not truly have everything.
The one thing that bothered me the most about the show was the way the family you visited seemed very sad or unhappy. I really hope you brought something to them to help them out.
anyhow...thanks for the show
g
Has Tony ever done a show in Taiwan? I remember seeing a promo done while I lived there. I know he visited, but did he do a show? No show seems available on iTunes.
YOU ALWAYS MAKE ME LAUGH!
I love the Laos epsiode for one remark...When you were describing what it was like to ride an elephant and you said it was like "Riding a giant scrotum with a 4 day old Jerry Bruckheimer stuble on it" What a perfectly smart and humorous description! Ive already shared that line with several people tonight.
Another one of my favorite comments you made when you were eating i think some sort of soup in another episode and you said": "Pleasure today, Diarrhea tomorrow" and "i'll be leaking like the Exxon Valdez" Those quick smart remarks will stay with me for a very long time.
Thank you for the entertainment throughout your series and thank you for the education along the way. Im not a traveler, or adventurous with the food i eat..but im glued to the television anytime you are on. You are a fascinating man that has a wonderfully laid-back way of showing people the other side of life.
I miss your chain-smoking...but i know quitting was probably done for the best of reasons...you %$#@! haha
Thank you for everything :) Id invite you to come to West Michigan, but the food here is pure crap :)
Tony!
I Love your show!!
Laos show was awesome!!
you kick $%# dude!
- Steven
Tulsa,ok
I Wanna be Anthoney! Being a nineteen year old college studentm all I wanna do is travel. Please Tony read this and take me with you!
Tony,
Loa was incredible and I cannot thank you and the folks you work with enough for the episode. I admit, I am jealous and I miss travel. I am also thankful for the opportunity to live vicariously through your program.
If you should ever plan a show for Kosovo, shoot me an email. I was there in 2004 and 2005 and made it my business to know where to get a great, home-cooked meal.
Cheers, and keep up the great work.
Dave
Wow what can I say about Monday night's episode of Laos amazing comes to mind.
Tony you and your crew out did yourselves this time.
The camera work on captioning the early morning mist coming down from the mountains was beautiful. I have never seen a more beautiful countryside as I did in the Laos episode.
Now for the emotional stuff seeing the crew blowing up explosives left by us Americans 30 years ago was a tear jerker. The people of Laos shouldn't be doing that, us Americans should be cleaning up the mess we left behind or at least help them out.
Seeing the gentleman who had his arm and leg blown off while he was working on his farm was unbelievable. He was way to young to even remember the war. Finding out that his self esteem is gone along with his friends after his accident was heart breaking. Tony were those tears coming down from your eyes, because it looked like you were about to have tears in your eyes talking with the nice gentleman (I sure had the tears in my eyes).
Now for the lighter side loved the elephant bit poor Tony your elephant did not want to cooperate from what I saw. BTW, Tony how drunk did your crew get after drinking the Lao Lao?, LOL.
Looking forward to the rest of the episodes for this season.
Again great job on the Laos episode Tony and the NR crew. I loved it.
Anthony,
Poolside today in San Diego smoking a fat joint reading “Kitchen Confidential” - what a GREAT Summer read. Enjoying every morsel.
JulesinSD
Tony, I don't know if you read the comments posted in response to your blog. Hell, I don't even know if it's cool to call you Tony! But I'm gonna anyway and I hope you do read these because I'd hate to think I paid this copliment to you via those that read it other than you. I have be cooking my entire adult life, I have loved it and I have been inspired to become really good at it. Until your book's, show and having the pleasure of having meet some cook's who have had the pleasure of working with or for you I had not been inspired to be great. Thank You.
And as for Loas, you missed one word that was a distinct term for describing the overall that is Loas, PURE
been cooking, should have probably proof read prior to submitting, opp's.
Laos. You picked such a serious place where no snarking allowed. I understood why you chose the destination with all it's tangled vines of beauty, pain and eerie hollowness. But we tune in to snark which now makes me a a-cl***turd for even verbalizing it but it's the truth and relevant.
Laos. I could appreciate the country as I did with your trip to Africa. Africa also a no snarking zone but you allowed me to stick my neck in and "check it out" while the safety confines of my home.
Next season snark first and enlighten us later?!
tony,
SO looking forward to the new shows. ethiopia should be really cool, hipsters everywhere wont stop mouthing off about ethiopian restaurants. teach them all a lesson and see it first hand!
xo, s.
Laos...interesting show but everyone seems sad or imp&%$ive...people seem to be exsisting rather than living. Good insight on the UXB's. That may have a lot to do with it. I don't get up every day hoping I don't step something that will blow me into eternity. Gotta thank God for that.
Had to leave the room when the pile of ant eggs in the market was onscreen (just now watching the show in HD and they looked particularly revolting). And I could not watch you all crunch the swallows. But I have to say, HD does make the show come alive. Could almost smell those elephants!
Nice description of Italy but make sure you guys don't eat any cheese until the Naples-based international cheese scandal is put to rest. I won't be buying imported cheese anytime soon. I'll be living on minimally processed bread, fruit, vegetables and water for awhile....scandalous!!!
I found that episode on Laos to be pretty depressing. It wasn't just the amputee - although that certainly didn't help matters - it was also the general lack of well, anything. The food didn't seem to inspire you and certainly didn't inspire me. The place looked pretty dismal. The pots in the middle of he plain? Meh. It felt like you were trying so hard to make it sound interesting, but were disappointed by the whole thing.
Even the people there seemed to be lacking something. Pride maybe? If a guy doesn't tell you that his whiskey is the best damned stuff you can get anywhere period and everything else is crap by comparison and here is how I make it and see the little things I do that are totally different from anyone else and I have been doing this forever and I can't wait to tell you all about it - well I feel like he doesn't really care.
Laos just isn't high on my list of places I want to explore.
I'm glad you're enjoying your casu marzu. I thought that stuff was illegal in Italy. Just watch your eyes when you eat it. You Really don't want to get fly larvae in your eye.
Hi Tony,
Did you say you had Mexico on your list? Would be great id you did a segment on Baja. Some interesting characters and a definitely unique regional cuisine.
Great Thony!!!
We're waiting for you here in Lombardi(a) ;)
Don't miss to try our special risotto!!!
The Laos show was very interesting and enlightening. Yet I was hoping to see Alaska on your list of places to go!! I'd love to see you snark Alaska. The only thing the other travel shows ever talk about are the glaciers,the bears and the damn salmon! We've got people in this state too yah know?! We've even got food and alcohol, if that helps sway any decisions.
P.S Really looking forward to the Tokyo show!!
I watched your show last night with you in Laos. My family is a Hmong tribe within Laos and Thailand and watching the show with all the familiar cultures and how you understood it so well made me cry. It made me realize that i am proud to be who i am and through an american guy's eyes you understood somewhat of who i am and who my family is.
i love your show. Keep up the wonderful job
hello Anthony,
i just wanted to compliment you on the Laos show... it was worth staying up until 2am to watch it. i was impressed by the way you 'strayed' from a standard travel/cooking show and really got more into Laos itself, it's peoples situation and some of their suffering.
when you started your trip with going to Phonsavan, i was surprised. like others, i was moved by the scene where you dined with the uxo victim. it was for me, unexpected, and sadly refreshing to see someone spend time detailing his and others. mentioning the Hmong still fighting in the hills was good. i think it is important that Americans see what effects policy can have on people decades later, especially in this case, as you pointed out several times... most Americans know nothing about the war there or the staggering amount of ordinance that was dropped there. you should have shown a shot from the air on approach and let people see all the bomb craters that are everywhere.
the show was very nostalgic for me... i spent several months in Laos in 1995 as a tourist and '96 working and managing to go almost everywhere. an incredible country. i was captivated by the scenery and the kindness and generosity of the people often staggered me...like being stuck in a police checkpoint in the mekong somewhere with nothing really to eat and nothing open for sale in the few huts, and having a family there share their meal of sticky rice and vegetable soup (which tasted like an ashtray) but that was all they had, and not much at that, and yet they shared it with a foreigner.
i was interested when you rode on the motorcycle to Luang Prabang. back then, unless you flew, you hitched a ride on a truck that would convoy up there (the drivers all had automatic rifles) or, you took your chances on occasional bus, which often got shot up. i flew. (here is a definite example of change being for better!)
you managed to eat some pretty interesting things, i must admit. fun to see. what? no dried rat on a stick to gnaw on? pity you missed that 'treat'! and khao piak for breakfast was one of the best things ever.
i hope that you will be able to go back there and spend some time exploring, because like you said, for better or worse, often the latter, it is changing... fast!
i hope you continue with your great shows and social awareness.
now you just have to go to Burma/Myanmar...another magic place!
Anthony,
Thanks for putting on a terrific show in Laos. I'm just about the only in NYC from Laos. Having been raised in the states - originally born in Laos..it was nice to see it on television, especially from a foodie. I will say, it was very funny to watch you and your crew trying the LAO lao whiskey but don't forget the Lao Beer. By the way, you did missed a some traditional laotian dishes which you would love.. e.i.: laab - minced meat salad, tum muk hung, bamboo shoot stew, khao dome-sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, black sticy rice w/custard, jasmin rice porridge, lao beef jerky, nak touk - beef salad, mook wrapped w/banana leaves, khao poon - noodle soup w/chili curry sauce, jaew bong...so much more...Perhaps it was tough to find since the country is so poor but it looks like you definitely enjoyed the trip to Laos and we hope to see you return for a 2nd episode sometime soon. Cheers!
Hi Tony,
I don't get to travel anywhere, so I thank you and travel channel for taking me on wonderful virtual vacations every day. I have seen all the episodes and enjoyed them all very much. Yes, Pecorino cheese - I remember my grandfather brought us some when I was 10 (I was born in Italy and grew up in Toronto where I now live), when I saw the cheese, and then the maggots I thought my grandfather was insane, and then at the insistence of my parents that I try a slice of my heritage, I almost wretched my eyeballs out of their sockets....although Pecorino is indeed an incredibly delicious cheese.
I really look forward to your segment on Saudi Arabia and hope you one day go to Jordan because you will absolutely love it. I hope to go there one day and visit Aqaba resort, the dead sea, and The Rose Red city of Petra. Toronto is another place that you should visit because you can find all the different cultures here. I have all your books and you are a fantastic writer. What I love best about all your shows is the respect that you have for all the different cultures. Thanks and God Bless
I recorded your show last night and look forward to the new season! Thank you for the continued travels to new and exciting destinations!
I love your snarkiness...
j~
All I can say is that Im addicted. Even got the customers at our 'local bar' watching you on Monday nights. LOVE IT
We loved your Laos show. It is truly magical and you were at your very best. Thank you.
Is there a way to send some money to the man in Laos who lost his leg and arm? I feel so bad for him,and want him to know someone does care about his loss. I grew up during the Vietnam war. Im a single parent with not much cash,but I really want to do something to help his family. Its the least I can do to show him Americans do care. It hurts to know these poor people are still paying for things done years ago. I hope when you- Anthony see things like this you can help to have a way for people who care to help someone like this.Please let me know if there is a way to help his family.
Just thought I'd tell you that the Laos episode last night was amazing. I cried through more than half of it. Thank you for showing people the things you were seeing there instead of covering up what wasn't so pretty. It probably doesn't matter but the episode did have an impact on me. Can't wait for next week!
I watched the laos show!! I am a mexican American living here in good ol US of A, and when i watched the family where the father had had his arm and leg blown off, I was so touched at the hospitality that they showed you and cooking a traditional dinner for you and greeting you with such kindness, I was so touched, these people live in such a scary place with the bombs still there that we dropped and yet do not help pick up and detonate them! I really love your take on your food show you do not only show the cusine but the people and culture as well, I love your show it is a true reality food show.
I loved the show on Laos! You did a great job! I'm half Lao and your show made me want to go there even more. Hopefully one day I'll be able to. I kinda want to make all my friends watch this episode. I live in Alabama and most people I know hadn't heard of Laos until they met me. Occasionally I'll even get asked if Laos is part of Vietnam/China/Thailand...That always annoys me but I try to be a patient understanding person...Anyway, thanks for this episode and hopefully opening people's eyes to Laos.
Just wanted to thank Tony and the production team for an incredible episode from Laos. It was powerfully humbling.
I'm Chicago born and raised, and very much looking forward to that episode.
Tony,
Great show last night!! I've really enjoyed it and thank you for showing the rest of the world about Laos. Makes me miss home(Laos) alot and I can't wait to go back in December. I've been a fan of your show for awhile. Last night episode was the first time I saw other side of you Tony. You were almost speechless but the expression of your face tells it all. Especially the part you were standing there watching the bombs rescue mission.
Great job Tony and your crew!!! Maybe in few years you guys will go back to Laos again and maybe travel to the southern part of country.
Keep up the good work!!!
Wow, amazing Laos episode last night. Thank you for bringing this country to light for Americans. Sadly, so many of us know absolutely nothing about Laos. If you're lucky, you MIGHT get an American to say, "Isn't that next to Vietnam?" and that's about it. I thought the scene with the disabled man was heartbreakingly beautiful. Looking forward to Colombia next week!
Great episode on "Laos". It was everything the Vietnam episode was not: serious, sober, somber...yet life affirming. NR always had this gift for showing the resilience of its people, whether its through food or other rituals. The scene where you visited the man hurt by the UXB was truly special, with the unguarded emotion on your face priceless. I know some people would like you to start out with the snark and cynicism, but it's a credit to how much this part of the world means to you that you restrained yourself.
One question: Is Diane Shutz and Nari Kye no longer with the show? I didn't see their names on the end credits.
hello anthony...my husband and i love and enjoy your show very much. I saw the one on Laos that just aired last night, and all i want to say is THANK YOU! I am hmong and when i first heard it on TV my eyes popped. never in my life would i ever hear my own culture mentioned. Not a lot of people know the where abouts of where we come from. just that little piece of information that you had mention, really made me proud. Im thankful that you can understand and imagine what my parents had to go through. God bless, and have a safe trip to Colombia.
Is it just me? I don't like those promos with the flame thrower. I know -- you will be traveling to places that are boiling hot trying to produce hot shows -- but the flamethrower schtick seems really forced and silly. That said, I really enjoyed the Laos episode. The Vietnam era segment concerning UXO was particularly enlightening.
Hey Tony- love the show, can't wait to see Laos. Dined at your downtown place a week or two back, my fave late-night spot (other than Sake Bar Hagi).
Also found Hiram's, Jersey boy- great chili dogs. Gencarelli's bakery is around the corner from me. That episode with you & Mario B. is my favorite. If you're in this neck of the woods again, you need to go to Rutt's Hut- deep fried dogs like Hiram's, with a relish of their own mysterious concoction.
Keep living the life, you lucky SOB! Your show constantly gives me new places around the world to visit, though I can only manage one "episode" or two a year, myself. Did you have Kalua pig in Hawaii? Spam musibi and Puka dogs are awesome, but kalua pig is worth the plane ticket alone!!
Laos - you were at your best. Thank you for telling us what we most times do not want to hear. We forget what our country does to so many. We forget why others dislike us so. Thank you again for your ability to use words and the fact that you do use them.
I am so excited about next week's Colombia episode! Thank you so much for going to Colombia. My mother was born in Medellin and I have been there many times to visit our family. It's so fantastic to see Colombia featured on your show. I was disappointed when Samantha Brown's show byp&%$ed Colombia during her travels in Latin America. Thanks for going where others won't go!!
Laos...I was there in 2006 and can't wait for the opportunity to go back. I was in Vientiane but not Luang Prabang and have been told Luang Prabang is an absolute must. Spent time in Pakse and on a river boat for four days. One of the most memorable trips of my lifetime. Rode elephants out of Pakse...and saw gorgeous waterfalls. Thanks for taking me back.
Mr. Bourdain,
Your Laos visit with the war victim was you as a human being at his deepest best. I join Peter above in sincere appreciation. You said that the experience "kicked the hell out of you." What honesty! I wish I could shake your hand and thank you.
Bob Lambright (81 yrs, retired surgeon, missionary in Java, 3-branch military, and now a fan of yours!)
Caught the Laos episode; the most I knew about that country was an article I read as kid in Reader's Digest about how Hmong women in Lancaster, Pa., were recruited into quilting programs with the Amish. Hmong textiles are incredibly lovely. Sometimes there's a vendor in the summer craft market in Headhouse Square in Philly that has Hmong-quilted items.
Another oblique Philly connection with your show: I noticed in the Malaysia episode, when you were talking with the tattoo artist, a snippet of Tapping the Vein's "Falling In" being played in the background. Having been at a lot of the band's live shows, the riff was instantly recognizable.
One show was back to NJ, what is the name and location of the cheese creamery place / farm that you went to?
thanks
Tony, you're amazing. I just thought I'd let you know. You're my hero!