A Negroni in Sardinia

A Reflection on Bourdain Day

Today, June 25, 2024, we celebrate what would have been Anthony Bourdain's 68th birthday. For many of us, Bourdain was more than just a celebrity chef or travel documentarian—he was a guiding light, a source of inspiration, and an unlikely friend who spoke to the deepest parts of our souls. On this day, aptly named Bourdain Day, we honor his legacy by choosing to march ahead, inspired by his life and work.

A Personal Journey Through Bourdain's Lens

Reflecting on my own journey, it’s impossible not to acknowledge how profoundly Bourdain influenced my life. As I shared in my blog post on ArrivalsDepartures.uk, Bourdain’s show No Reservations became a lifeline during some of my darkest days. Returning from a year-long deployment to Iraq, I grappled with the heavy burden of post-war depression and PTSD. The nights were long, and the memoirs of contemporary war veterans felt repetitive and hollow. It was in this desolate state that I stumbled upon Bourdain's irreverent, heartfelt, and deeply human storytelling.

Bourdain didn’t just change my views on travel shows; he provided an unexpected escape and a profound sense of connection. His genuine curiosity, respect for other cultures, and ability to listen and give space to marginalized voices resonated with me as a woman combat veteran of color. He showed us the world through a lens of empathy and wonder, reminding us of our shared humanity despite the chaos and division.

Isola Tavolara in the distance

Adventures in Wonderland

In the past year, life has continued to unfold in remarkable ways. I had the pleasure of meeting Zamir Gotta, one of Bourdain’s closest friends and frequent collaborators. Our conversations were filled with laughter, memories, and a mutual admiration for the man who brought us together while wandering the streets of Florence around New Year’s. Additionally, spending the summer in Sardinia this year immerses me in its rich culture and stunning landscapes, capturing moments through writing, cooking, creating art, and trying local foods, much like Bourdain did. Oh, and did I mention we finally moved away from Florence? Another win.

As we continue wandering through Gallura, I’m continuing to take photos of damn near everything we eat here. While some might find it annoying, I can't resist taking photos of food. In fact, you can find a bounty of my own personal food porn stash on my YouTube channel. These snapshots are more than just pictures; they are memories, experiences, and stories waiting to be told. Bourdain's abrupt departure taught us that the big mistake we all make is thinking we have time.

Capturing these moments is a way of honoring his legacy and reminding ourselves to live fully and consciously. To take a moment for gratitude, knowing I was once homeless and sleeping in my car in hospital parking lots and eating cold fries from a paper bag. Sitting before a platter of porceddu at the Romazzino in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia as a salty 42-year-old, merits a photograph at the very least.

The best porceddu I’ve tasted to date | Romazzino

As we celebrate Bourdain Day, let's take a moment to reflect on the lessons he imparted. His journey was marked by an unyielding desire to understand the world, to connect with people from all walks of life, and to find beauty in unexpected places. In his loneliness, we saw his compassion. In his struggles with depression, we saw his profound wisdom and wit. He showed us that even in our darkest moments, we can find profound insight and meaning.

The moon over Costa Smeralda

The Realization of Home

I want to highlight aspects of my previous blog post and how I came across Bourdain, and how he served as a beacon of light in the darkest of nights for me. How I moved through combat PTSD and depression alone, traveling from place to place because nowhere felt like home, watching his shows, reading his work as comfort. My memoir, The Desert Warrior, was inspired by these moments of perpetual motion.

“A moving target is harder to kill, and I didn’t stop running, maneuvering, until I reached home base, where I could breathe between death-defying sprints. I just need to make it home alive, and this will all be over, I told myself. Home.”

— M.B. Dallocchio, The Desert Warrior

Bosa, Sardinia

In The Desert Warrior, I came to understand that finding home wasn't necessarily about a physical location but rather a state of being where I felt loved and safe. This realization was transformative, teaching me that home could be found in a fleeting moment of laughter with friends, a shared meal with strangers, or even in the quiet comfort of solitude. It was Bourdain's travels and stories that helped me see that home is where we embrace and are embraced, where we feel understood and accepted, regardless of where we might be on the map.

Was he in constant search of this? Perhaps. But in his search, he showed us that home is all around us if we're open to it. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

Remembering Bourdain: A Tribute Through Travel

One of the most tangible ways we can honor Bourdain's legacy is by experiencing the world through travel and exploration. In his words, "If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel – as far and as widely as possible." Whether it's visiting a new country or trying a new dish at a local restaurant, let's continue to expand our horizons and break down barriers through the power of mindful movement.

But let's not forget to also appreciate the beauty that exists in our own backyard. Bourdain often highlighted the hidden gems and untold stories near his home in New York City. In this spirit, let's take a moment to explore our own neighborhoods, support local businesses, and connect with our communities.

Carloforte

Bourdain may be gone, but his legacy will continue to inspire us for generations to come. As we celebrate Bourdain Day and honor his memory, let's keep traveling, exploring, and connecting with one another – because as he showed us, that's what truly makes us human.

In a world adrift in the storms of political upheaval, chaos, and economic strife, some of us wander not aimlessly but in a ceaseless quest for beauty and meaning amid the rubble. Many of us are seekers; some of us are survivors who have witnessed the worst life has to offer and yet hold onto the belief that there is more—some untainted essence of the human spirit waiting to be discovered in the hidden corners of our globe.

We wander through the remnants of broken dreams, knowing deeply that this current state isn't the end but that we have the potential to make things better, knowing our time is finite. Even amidst despair, we find solace in fleeting moments of connection and beauty, snippets of conversations with strangers, and the sacredness of simple meals—each a testament to our shared humanity.

Anthony Bourdain was itinerant, irreverent, and ultimately an unforgettable storyteller. He showed us that even in the most unlikely places and circumstances, there is beauty to be found and stories waiting to be told. His legacy will continue to inspire us all to keep exploring, keep connecting, and keep searching for what makes life truly worth living.

For those battling the ghosts of depression, trauma, and the harrowing thoughts of suicide, it's vital to remember: the journey to find beauty in the broken places is not a solitary one. Reach out, connect, and dare to believe that in the chaos, there is hope, and in the wandering, there is a path leading back to light where the warmth of home calls us.

Tonight, we'll be walking down toward the beach here in northern Sardinia to have our commemorative Negroni in Bourdain's honor. Thank you, Tony. Your legacy lives on forever in the hearts and minds of those perpetually inspired by your words and adventures. You are loved and missed by so many.

Cheers, everyone, and be good to one another.

Happy Bourdain Day.