What if you found yourself next
to CNN's rockstar travel
documentarian Anthony Bourdain at a party? Obviously, you ask him where you
should go on vacation this summer and shake him down for travel advice. We took
a sip of vodka, summoned the courage, and did just that.
If you had time for one trip
this summer, where would you go?
It's always life-changing to go
to Japan for the first time. It's like life before acid and life after acid.
Summer might not be the ideal time to visit there though; it's hot and Tokyo is
a city full of people. I would also recommend South Vietnam, Nha Trang. A beach
in Vietnam would be nice. Chances are it's very different from the everyday
experiences that you are used to. Personally I just fell in love with that part
of the world.
How do you get around in South
Vietnam?
First and foremost, rent a
scooter. That's the way to see Vietnam, no question. There is just this flow of
thousands of people navigating the provinces on scooters and that's a magical
thing to see and to be a part of. You want to be as close to the action as
possible. You don't want to see Vietnam from a bus or inside an air conditioned
car.
Where was your last visit to?
I just came from Shanghai and
it was amazing. You can see the future and it doesn't include us. Just modern
building and high-speed rail everywhere. We were up the Congo River where there
were no toilets, but everywhere you go there is full signal on your iPhone.
You won a Peabody Award for
your Parts Unknown episode visiting Israel and the Gaza. What did that trip
mean to you?
I knew it was going to be a
difficult show. I didn't want to mess it up. I wanted to be honest about what I
saw and what I felt. I worked very, very hard, along with the production crew,
to get it right. I'm proud with the result.
What did your family feel about
the accomplishment?
Nobody's really impressed by
what I do in my family. My wife was in the restaurant business as well and she
knows what I was going through about 30 years ago, and chances are whatever I'm
doing with the show is a hell of a lot easier than standing on my feet 12 hours
a day in a kitchen being a line chef.
You're traveling for the show
so often, what do you find yourself doing during your hiatus?
I have to say though that my
wife and daughter, who is 7, are my favorite people to travel with. I probably
take a month off every year and it's all about what the 7-year-old wants. I let
her decide. My brain turns off. Beach? Fine. Hotdogs? Sure. If she doesn't want
to get out of her pajamas I'm okay with that too.
What cartoons do you enjoy
most?
I'm amazingly up-to-date on
Adventure Time, Regular Show, Sanjay and Craig. I'm a big fan of Sam and Cat,
especially the illegal toddler climbing episode.
Your imprint is going to
publish a biography from Shep Gordon. He's got so many great tales as a
manager, are there any that you're making him put in the book?
I just
want to let Shep be Shep. When you're talking about a guy like that there is no
shortage of amazing stories.
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