No Reservations for Bourdain

photo by Adam Pinkney

No Reservation for Bourdain

By Adam Pinkney

On Season two of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservation, he visits the enchanted island of Puerto Rico. Bourdain explores the wonderful culture and cuisine of the island. His approach would best be described as “anti-conquest”. This term was coined by Mary Pratt and is a genre of travel writing. Bourdain does not want to conquer or impose his ideals on the existing culture of Puerto Rico, he insists on kicking it with the natives and becoming a part of their family.

Mr. Bourdain did not want to be a lousy tourist, he wanted to live amongst the people and receive the stamp of approval. Throughout the show he kept repeating how he was in search of the “ real Puerto Rico” and did not want to entertain himself with a typical tourist itinerary. Bourdain was somewhat a passive observer, however he definitely wanted to get down and dirty. For example he stepped into the ring with an undefeated boxing champion Miguel Cotto. Luckily for Bourdain, the champ spared his life.

Other adventures of his travel included a search for the mythical chupacabra, horseback riding, lobster diving, music and lots of food. Bourdain enjoyed the locals and they were also pleased to have him around. At the end of the show he told a couple of locals about his adventures on the island and they gave him a stamp of approval.

I enjoyed this type of travel writing Bourdain pursued. It was more of documenting visually with sound and video of his experience in Puerto Rico. I relate very well to his style of travel writing and would not change anything about his approach. I agree with the anti-conquest theme of innocence. For some reason tying in the theme of innocence reminds me of a bible verse. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

El Lechon Asao

By Paola Lopez

As my sister-in-law said, “it sucks to be a pig in Puerto Rico.” This judgment is true and highly verified by Anthony Bourdain’s food pilgrimage to Puerto Rico. His travels through the island took him to “food” famous towns like Cayey the home of Lechonera, Isabella for mofongo, and Bayamon for chicharones. Bourdain’s travels define anti-conquest travel writing; he specifically travels to diverse and uncommonly visited palate enticing destinations to tempt those at home to explore new cuisine. Anti-conquest travel writing according to Pratt “European bourgeois subjects seek to secure their innocence in the same moment as they assert European hegemony.” No longer does the travel writer of the era look to the savages as someone to conquer, but the people take on a new persona as something to analyze, to digest—and Anthony Bourdain does certainly digest!


Bourdain’s extensive culinary background and his quick wit give him the edge in the travel writing/film business. His dry, Marlboro loving, and food fascination are what keep his television show intriguing along with the “gastronomic masterpieces.” Bourdain’s goal throughout the series is to meet, greet, and eat with the locals. His crass temper sometimes did not get him very far with impatient and understanding Puerto Ricans; one particular public car driver dropped him off earlier than anticipated calling him a pendejo or idiot—to be nice. However, his perseverance to get the authentic experience paid off when he admirably stated that Puerto Rico is the “crown jewel of the Caribbean.” Bourdain executively carried out his agenda to taste and see the varied forms of pork, the Puerto Rican fast food of pastelillos, sorullitos, plantains, and tostones. Any form of travel writing that is transposed to become more appealing to a wider audience is fantastic! As our visit with Norma Borges, El Nuevo Dia newspaper, reminded us to include graphics with detailed and visually cueing words. I would love to have a lax career savoring odd and delicious cuisine from around the world. It would be great to know how culturally connected the pork and the various other foods like the plantain and penepen are to the Puerto Rican culture. From our lectures and various discussions with the locals we were able to connect the use of foods is tied to how can one food item be used six different ways, and so the people survive off one particular food item yet do not develop an aversion to the food.

Travelers vs. Tourists

By Kali Carter

Centuries ago, before Lonely Planet guidebooks and the Travel Channel, people traveled to places not knowing what they might find. Often times, trying new things or venturing off the paved trails lead to the most hidden and unbelievable treasures. In fact, some of the world's best discoveries came about by accident. When Columbus set sail for India, he discovered America. When Alexander Fleming was looking for a cure for the flu, he had no idea a contamination in the Petri dish would create penicillin. When I traveled to Puerto Rico for a travel writing class, I too was not prepared for what would turn out to be a life-changing experience.

For as long as I can remember, I have done my research on every place I have traveled to. To be quite honest, I am not sure I know how to travel without creating iteneraries or organized plans. This summer, though, I traveled to South America for my first study abroad experience. For the first time, I was not in control of my plans. For the first time, things went wrong. For the first time, I immersed myself in a different culture. For the first time, I actually lived. It was not until Puerto Rico, though, that I figured out why.

On the television show "No Reservations," host Anthony Bourdain travels off the beaten path to find the hidden treasures. He lives by the philosophy that anyone can read a guidebook or pick up a map, but in order to truly experience a different culture, it is necessary to stop reading and start living. One of the best ways to do this is to ask the locals. The locals know where to eat, where to shop, and where to hang out; they also understand the customs better than any guidebook. Anthony Bourdain travels using the concept of the anti-conquest. The anti-conquest is a term coined by Mary Louise Pratt to describe the idea of innonence in traveling.

Like many tourists, I take pictures of what I see, especially when someone points out that a particular building, statue, landmark, etc. is of historical importance. Most of the time, when I return home and look through my pictures, I cannot remember what the picture is of. On New Years Eve, my friends and I met a French man named Vincent. The next day at the beach, there was one moment in particular that our entire group was checking their individual cell phones. I watched Vincent's reaction and asked him why he was smiling. He told me texting and checking cell phones were a very "American thing to do." We proceeded to have a conversation about the need for instant gratification. One thing that stuck with me throughout the conversation is what Vincent called life through a lens. He said many people spend their time travelling by taking pictures or videos, which distracts them from the real picture and learning about what they see. He said it is easier to pay attention when we have to rely on ourselves, instead of technology, to remember the information. Until this moment of clarity, I always thought capturing the picture digitally meant making a memory, but I finally realized the memories are made when time isn't wasted getting the camera out.

At one point during our stay, my friend Lauren and I walked around the streets of the city, when we stumbled upon what appeared to be the Rodeo Drive of San Juan. The street lined with upscale stores like Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, is also home to the famous La Concha hotel. In two consecutive nights, my friends and I saw celebrities Ty Pennington and Benicio del Toro. Although meeting Benicio was a trip highlight, the most fun we had on a night out came in the town of Ponce at a local attraction called Hollywood Cafe. If I wanted to see celebrities and shop at expensive stores, I would have spent my winter break in Los Angeles. Personally, I would rather buy a purse from a street vendor or a souvenir shop.

On our last night in San Juan, our entire group went out to dinner to commemorate our last night. This was also the day before my 21st birthday. In typical tourist fashion, we could have easily gone to a popular tourist spot like Senor Frogs or Hard Rock Cafe, but we tried a local restaurant called Raices, which had some of the best mofongo (a local food) on the island.

In the end, Anthony Bourdain got it right. Although the tourist hotspots almost always guarantee a good time, nothing really beats trying new foods and getting the authentic island experience. I have done a lot of traveling in the past 21 years of my life, but what I learned over the past two weeks is a new way of traveling I will take with me the rest of my life.

Puerto Rico Confidential

by Karen Hudson

I found out that my friend Justin had the chance to meet Anthony Bourdain. Prior to our arrival in Puerto Rico, we watched an episode of Bourdain’s show, No Reservations. For those of you who have never seen the show, he spends a lot of time mocking other travel show hosts whose idea of visiting a new place means checking out a new spa. He seeks an authentic experience rather than a generic tour of the same places.

I’ve adored Anthony Bourdain ever since Kitchen Confidential and I love him even more in No Reservations. He’s the anti-tourist who seeks out what truly makes each culture unique, whether it’s local legends or local food. He is, as we learned in class – yes, we did have class in paradise – an anti-conquest travel writer. He immerses himself in the culture to observe, not to judge.

My Puerto Rico experience was a bit different than his, however. When we arrived in San Juan, I expected to see mofongo and roasted pigs in every store window. Instead, our hotel had a surprising number of sushi and Asian restaurants within walking distance. When we visited La Concha Hotel, the manager told us that sushi was really popular in Puerto Rico. “We make sushi with a Latin twist,” he said.

I didn’t feel that I had the real food of Puerto Rico until I visited the beach town of Luquillo. Next to the gorgeous, lush blue water and white sands was a stretch of kioskos. It seemed like the long, narrow building stretched a mile. There were so many food stands with many of the same things: empanadillas, fried mashed potato balls filled with meat, deep fried pieces of cod, and lots of rice and beans. It reminded me of the Oklahoma State Fair with a prettier background.





My classmates and I decided to eat pinchos, grilled meat (I chose chicken) on a stick. It was so tender and juicy; before the vendor handed it over, he brushed it with a thin layer of sauce. For our drinks, we purchased fresh coconuts with a hole cut in the top for the straw. This was the road food I imagined to be authentic in Puerto Rico.



Later that night, we returned for dinner. I tried a Puerto Rican favorite, rice and beans with chicken, and realized why people love it so much. It was so flavorful and seasoned perfectly. I say this as a person who only eats beans when they are mashed into a dip or inside of a burrito. I don’t know how they cook them in Puerto Rico but I am determined to find out.

Overall, I think Bourdain did a good job of seeking out authentic Puerto Rico, although he had the advantage of working with a camera crew, producers, and a translator. We could have used location scouts so Abigail, Marisa, Clint and I wouldn’t have wandered around Old San Juan looking for Barrachina only to discover that they were closed for a holiday. The show provided some insight about what makes Puerto Rico unique but I’m glad I was able to experience it for myself.

Mr. Bourdain and I

By Marisa Mohi, thinker of thoughts and dreamer of dreams

I don’t think I’m the only woman on this planet that has a crush on Anthony Bourdain. I find the idea of traveling to be simultaneously intriguing and sexy—you know, the sort of intellectual sexy that people associate with black-framed glasses and quoting Dylan Thomas poetry. Also, being on the Travel Channel has boosted his sex appeal in my eyes. I mean, I guess I’ve already mentioned the absurd love I feel for Adam Richman. I’m really just waiting for one of these handsome men to find me and offer me a big ol’ diamond ring. But until then, I suppose I’ll continue with my graduate coursework…hence the rest of this blog.

(I promise, the digressions will be a little less, well…digressionary from here on out.)

So, back to Mr. Bourdain. His show ,“No Reservations”, has become somewhat of a pop culture phenomenon. I can’t go anywhere without hearing somebody talk about the one episode where he drank homemade liquor in Greece, or the time that he was the lone white man in Saudi Arabia. Also, his book, Kitchen Confidential, is nicely situated in the “to-be-read” pile on my bookshelf. The thing about his show and his books that I found so monumentally appealing, is the “behind-the-scenes” look he gives you of the worlds he presents. It’s almost like he makes you one of the locals, or, as in the case of his book, a member of the kitchen staff.

To me, this is what traveling should be.

People who head out to Jamaica to sit at a lame-o upper middleclass, all expenses paid, adult daycare center aren’t really travelers. To me, these folks are still living in the colonial era. (I say this only because I have a degree in English, and well, the Postcolonial theory was always my favorite.) But traveling to an area that is completely different than your home country and then only staying in an area that has been made to mimic the overly American ideal of paradise, complete with five-star hotels and surgically enhanced trophy wives parading in leopard print bikinis isn’t really getting out of your country club comfort zone, now is it?

Bourdain (my homeboy as I call him, especially when I want people to think that I’m cool and cultured and hang out with world travelers even though I pretty much just chill back in Oklahoma) subscribes to a school of thought known as the anti-conquest method of travel writing. Now, not to get too pretentious for all you folks out there in the floating ether la la land that is the interwebs, but I’m gonna lay down some knowledge. Get ready. Academic notions ahead!

Anti-conquest travel writing is the sort of travel writing that doesn’t separate the visitor from the visited. That is, the traveler immerses himself/herself in the culture he is visiting. In doing this, the traveler isn’t able to take the perspective of the outsider and pass judgements on the culture he/she is visiting. He/she isn’t assimilating his/her surroundings into his/her frame of reference. In this way, the traveler functionally presents the culture as it stands, without conquering it with his/her own cultural ideals.

Maybe this is why Mr. Bourdain is totally my homeboy. I love the way that wherever he goes, he jumps into the culture headfirst and does what the locals do. I’ve never seen him refuse food on the basis that it may be a little sketchy. I’ve never seen him refuse alcohol even though, by western scientific standards, it may be rocket fuel. I’ve never seen him refuse to join the party because he doesn’t speak the language. This is the essence of anti-conquest travel. This is what traveling should be.

We can’t look down our noses at people and claim that their quality of life is deplorable, all from the comfort of our ivory balconies of our seaside resort. Without getting too preachy, it’s these kinds of resorts that under develop islands like Jamaica. If you’ve never seen the documentary, Life and Debt, you should check it out. If it doesn’t make you hate big resorts that function as the governor’s mansion on the colonial plantation, then you probably need to reevaluate your values and morals.

I guess, in the end, we are only one world. I feel just as connected to strangers as I do to my family. Though I love my family, I know that the strangers I see as I travel could become a part of my family some day. There are no real strangers in this world, only potential friends. That is why when we travel, we can’t look at those we encounter as “the others"--this isn’t an episode of Lost. This is the human race. We aren’t here to conquer it.

So, as I make my way through Puerto Rico, I try to keep these thoughts in mind. I'm already the farthest I've ever been away from my home and family. The comfort zone is left far behind. There is nothing left to do but enjoy the time I have in the place I am with the people I'm with the way that the people who live there do.

Traveling and Tact: Mutually Exclusive in the World of Bourdain

By Abigail Hess

In layman’s terms, anti-conquest travel writing means that which does not interfere with a place’s native culture.  And if you’ve ever seen Anthony Bourdain’s Travel Channel show, “No Reservations,” you know he is the epitome of becoming one with indigenous civilizations…and of dogging on those travel shows that cater only to tourist hot-spots.

If this weren’t a school-sponsored blog I’d provide a Bourdain quote chastising places like Sandals Resorts and people like Samantha Brown, but I feel my professors would not appreciate the colorful language used by this crass New York native.  Suffice it to say he does not like tourist attractions and those who visit them. 

For the most part, I concur with Bourdain’s attitude.  If you’re fortunate enough to travel to far and distant lands (like my current local of Vieques, Puerto Rico), it won’t be long before you realize there are two distinct personalities of a place:  that which is native to the country, and that which is concocted for tourists.

Ever seen an “I <3 NY” t-shirt?  Yeah, a real New Yorker wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those.

So I understand why Bourdain seeks out hole-in-the-wall restaurants for meals and  toothless locals for interviews; the world has realized the economic potential of tourist travel, and an unfortunate number of far away countries have allowed their culture to change so as to draw more deep-pocketed travelers.

Bourdain is simply trying to fight the system, and I can respect that.

However.

I am a girl from the etiquette-oriented plains of the bible belt, and the tactless language and pessimistic angle of “No Reservations” is offensive to my delicate Oklahoma palate.  Is it really necessary to be bleeped out on your own show?  Really?   To me, excessive profanity and negativity is just an attempt at seeming tough, and Bourdain is a skinny, weezy chain smoker.  Ergo, not tough.

If you ask me, there are better ways to articulate the sentiments of anti-conquest travel writing.  In fact, Bourdain may be shooting himself in the foot, as I don’t suspect many foreigners appreciate how stubbornly New York he is.  Is that the best way to blend in with one’s surroundings?  I think not, mon frère.

So if you want to visit a place for it’s native culture, get to know the locals as Bourdain does…but omit the f-bombs and leave the Marlboros at home.  

And though you may long to absorb the natural habitat of your next vacation destination, I don’t recommend completely cutting yourself off from the tacky tourist locals.

For though I’ve been to the Big Apple three times and have never purchased an “I <3 NY” shirt, I’d secretly kill to have one.

Much love.

The Real Puerto Rico

Mofongo is a native dish to Puerto Rico. Bourdain explains in his "anti-conquest" form of travel writing that Mofongo is a dish that describes the "real" Puerto Rico, while the natives prefer simpler tastes like rice and beans.

By Clint Sloan

Anthony Bourdain was searching for the “real” Puerto Rico down the streets of San Juan. He started his search at Barrachina, the home of the Piña Colada. This would give him a glance at the traditional Puerto Rican culture. He soon became skeptical of how traditional it was after the drink was made from canned pineapple juice and delivered through a fountain station.

So Bourdain bragged about how he was destined to find this traditional Puerto Rico. He hires a guide to take him to various sites, because Bourdain cannot speak Spanish. He finally finds the perfect drink at a old beaten food stand next to a beautiful beach. “This is it,” Bourdain stated.

Even though Bourdain said he was going to present the real Puerto Rico to his viewers, he was actually presenting a view of the aristocratic tourist; he was not presenting a view of a middle-class curious individual wanting to explore the real Puerto Rico.

For example, in order to communicate with the local residents, Bourdain had to acquire a translator. Everyday people could not afford to hire a translator, especially in these hard economic times. It also leaves one without the experience of having to personally contact local people for essentials like food or lodging. An individual must go in there without a translator. Preferably, one should learn some basic Spanish phrases like ¿Comó Estás? and Buenos Dias. This would give one that communication experience needed to appreciate one’s stay in Puerto Rico.

Also, Bourdain seems to think Mofongo is the main dish in Puerto Rico. But actually it is not what most Puerto Ricans prefer. Traditional Puerto Rican food usually just consists of a meat such as pork or chicken mixed with rice and beans. Tourists are the main ones who like Mofongo; so, if one wants to enhance their experience, try some of the food Puerto Ricans themselves enjoy.

In the end, Bourdain’s portrayal of Puerto Rico is good for entertainment, but should not be misconstrued to be an accurate portrayal of the “real” Puerto Rico. This can be experienced by talking to locals, and one would see what makes this beautiful island so great.

Unity In Puerto Rico

Unity In Puerto Rico

Zaina Al Ghabra

January 10, 2010

Traveling today has changed drastically when you compare it to the agendas of those who traveled before us. Back then travel was dedicated to advancing certain agendas. Those traveling to far away places were a minority who were assigned to certain tasks. Luckily today, more people associate traveling with leisure and as a way to learn about our world and all its complexities. Anti-conquest is a word coined by Mary Pratt, which refers to the innocence of travel rather than traveling for conquering and dominating other people and cultures. Many of us find ourselves traveling to far away places simply to fulfill a curious obligation within ourselves; thus reiterating the notion of anti-conquest.

Anthony Bourdain is a well-known author and chef who travels documenting his experiences and broadcasting them on the Travel Channel for the world to see; a luxury that was not readily available in the past. His series integrate Pratt’s notion of anti-conquest, as he travels to different parts of Puerto Rico and offers his own account based on what he has seen and experienced. More so, he offers pointers to those who plan on following his footsteps into unknown lands. Bourdain also emphasizes the importance of familiarizing oneself with the local population, gaining a “real experience, rather than being immersed in tourist destinations with other tourists.

When it comes to the amount of things I have witnessed and been a part of on this lovely Island, I can definitely say I was offered a well-rounded experience. Bourdain stresses on tasting a Piña Colada when in Puerto Rico, and I can walk away assured I was lucky to find and indulge in the freshest Piña Colada on the Island. More so, Bourdain emphasizes a little restaurant in Old San Juan called “Raices,” of which myself, Dr. Subervi and Dr. Carstarphen, along with a few other classmates had the wonderful opportunity of eating at. Not only did we eat there, but we indulged in the all famous Mofongo. Mofongo is a Puerto Rican delicacy composed of mashed triple fried plantains topped with your choice of meat, chicken, shrimp or vegetables. Bourdain also made sure visitors know the relevance and love people in Puerto Rico have for rice and beans.

Lastly, visiting Vieques, The Three Kings Festival, El Yunque Rainforest and the Bioluminescent Bay just last night, truly offered a tourist experience like no other. I feel as though I can walk away from this trip with a personal account of the Islands rich beauty, history, food, culture and people; Anthony Bourdain would be pleased. Of course none of this would have been possible without our amazing tour guides who gave us their all, our professors who are the backbone of the trip, and of course my fellow students who filled our journey with laughter and fun.

Travel for travel's sake.

By: Lauren Hale
The idea of anti-conquest is a narrative term coined by Mary Pratt. It referred to the innocence of travel and going into a land with the intentions to learn and observe the beauty of a culture as its own. These ideas of anti-conquest were the opposite of going into a land to change the culture and become a dominant power source. In the beginnings of travel writing, a major component of the genre was the idea that learning and taking accounts of a new place could lend aide to its conquer. With new world discoveries being an important part of the time period, travel writing gave a sense of familiarity with these unknown regions. In the present day, we see more travel for anti-conquest reasons. This idea of "leisure" and "culture learning experience" are prominent reasons for people to extend their temporary locations to other places.
Looking at Anthony Bourdain series on the travel channel, you witness a person traveling to different lands solely to learn about a new culture and having an immersed experience. His segments incorporate some of the travel ideals that Mary Pratt set forth with her idea of anti-conquest. At the beginning of his Puerto Rican segment, he said he wants to see the "real Puerto Rico." This being the areas of the island that are not advertised as tourist attractions and are more local hangouts. Locations such as these throughout a city are usually the most beneficial to immersion into a culture. He begins his segment by tasting local cuisine, something that I was keen on doing while I was here. The one thing I wanted to eat on this whole trip was the typical rice and beans dish, along with tostones. How the women of Puerto Rico stay svelte, I have no idea. I would not have the willpower to not eat these fried and carb loaded delicacy's every day.Anyways, viewing Bourdain's series made me realize that I am apt to doing anti-conquest traveling myself. I like to explore areas and culture and apply them to my own life. Seeing a new place for its existing beauty, rather than trying to make it into something else, is a rewarding experience. Take tonight for example. We were able to witness a beautiful, natural underwater world at the bioluminesence bay. I have never seen anything as remarkable as that and it was literally a life changing experience. Taking in that site as it was, a beautiful Puerto Rican treasure, was made possible by existing as a visitor, a tourist. Jn my opinion, traveling to a new place would not have been the same if I had an agenda such as those who existed in the beginning of travel writing. I enjoy being a participant in new cultures, not a advocate for changing them. To me, one of the biggest luxuries in life is being able to submerge yourself into a new place and take in all it has to offer.