Dear: Mr. Bourdain

Dear: Mr. Anthony Bourdain

Hi, I would first like to start off by saying that both my husband and I have recently become accidental fans of yours…….one could argue that our love for you might verge on obsessive but as neither one of us are particularly physically attracted to you, there is no need to worry.

You see, my husband and I have moved to South East Asia seven months ago, from Canada. Although South East Asia has many great things to offer – television is not one of them. Most of the series on Singapore TV (where we currently live) are 2-3 seasons behind or have been edited beyond recognition. As neither one of us remembered to pack a crib board, this has resulted in an increase amount of arguments, channel surfing and watching of bad re-runs.

It was through this “lack of anything better on” that we found your show – No Reservations. With out stroking your ego to much Mr. Bourdain – You are kind of a big deal out here.

Now to be honest, I am a little worried about my husband, as he likes to think of the two of you as kindred souls, due to your love for roasted pig, 70’s rock and lack of understanding as to why anyone would want to be a vegetarian (don’t worry he hasn’t shown any strong stocker signs yet).

Not only do we now watch your show religiously but we have also bought 5 out of your 9 books, (Your latest almost causing us to buy two copies as there was a fight to see who was going to read it first) have tried out all of your Singapore recommendations and have found ourselves booking many of our South East Asia trip destinations around your restaurant, food and destination recommendations.

To sum things up Tony – you tell us where to eat and we go. We cannot wait to gluttonessly work our way through South East Asia so that we can take on your European destinations next.

Thanks again for being our friend.

Yours Truly

Risha

PS – I know you’re not a fan of the Philippines but I’m still going…..personally I think it was lame ass No Reservations fan you took with you. Should you wish to re-visit together I am planning a trip mid-April – you are welcome to join.

HOI AN

This is how Mike and I decided to make our second trip to Vietnam. We went to Hoi-An a small colonial beach town and home to Hoi An noodles, really what can I say besides - it was awesome!

With the threat of the monsoon season looming over our head – we took a gamble by heading back, as there was a very strong chance that we would end up with less then perfect weather – however on this particular trip our gamble paid off and we ended up with 4 days of stellar sunshine and cloudless days. To top it all off being that it was low season the town was at about half capacity and the beaches were near to deserted (Phuket eat your heart out).

We did a little sight seeing, snorkeling, beaching and of course lots of eating, but most importantly I had an epiphany.

I came to the realization I don’t mind shopping………..as long as there is a tailor involved.

For with a tailor shopping is easy, quick and efficient.

You walk in, pick out a fabrics, tell them what I want – they in return take a few measurements, entertain you by haggling over the price and tell you to come back the next day.

Next day: Walk in pick up your custom -made item while at the same time paying considerably less then North American market value. In return the tailor is happy because he/she has probably made more then above profit margin on the whole sale.

I am so screwed when we go back to Canada.

* For those of you who don’t know Anthony Bourdain Read: Kitchen Confidential & A Cook’s Tour *