If you have been following Wanderlittles, you know that we have a thing for travel. But what happens when we simply cannot get away? This Wanderlittles series, which you will find pop up every once in a while on a Wednesday when we are dreaming of faraway places, introduces you to (or reminds you about) some of our favorite books, tv shows, and movies that help whet our appetites for our next adventure.
I have always been a reader. Growing up I dreamt of far away places, people I’d never met, and food I’d yet to discover. But I lived in rural Upper Michigan, and while my family took regular vacations in the US, I longed to get away. You could say it was a bit of an obsession. Until I could leave physically, I regularly took adventures through reading. I still love reading and love to hide between the pages of a good book but instead, it’s more realistic to getaway through TV. My life is very busy but when I simply must relax I turn on something to take me away.
Some of my favorites are the numerous programs by Anthony Bourdain. He and I lead a similar life (though let’s face it: he’s at a completely different level than I am!) and I love his passion for food and people. His candor and honesty. Most of all that, he loves food, good food, no matter where he’s eating. Bourdain has hosted several different shows; No Reservations and The Layover are two of his most recent series. For nearly an hour, viewers travel to a location somewhere in the world, whether it’s Atlanta, GA or Moscow, Russia. You meet locals, see some of the highlights of that place and most of all discover the food! Besides being taken away for a period of time, I appreciate that there’s no shock value. It feels real. It feels exactly how I travel.
So now as I sit at my desk plotting my next adventure to Istanbul, I’m fueled by the voice of Mr. Bourdain and drooling as I not so patiently wait to sink my teeth into a flaky baklava or savory guvec. I’m searching for restaurants that offer traditional Turkish specialties, the strongest coffee, and perhaps what might be the most romantic dinner spot overlooking the Bosporus. Rick Steve’s might show you what to go and see but Tony shows you how to explore the culture – one bite at a time.
What films or books inspire YOUR dreams of travel??