I have a travel story I think some of you might enjoy. So here it goes.

Last October I was traveling overseas for the very first time. I was going to spend two weeks in Ireland. The first week was to be spent in Dublin and the second out west in the country where I was to visit my family in County Clare. I was to meet my Father at the airport in Dublin who had already been there two weeks before me. This means I was traveling alone. I'll admit that I was a little nervous to go, especially for a trip of this caliber. I would highly recommend if you are going overseas for the first time, please take someone with you.

The morning of October 1st 2008 did not start out as planned. I was originally supposed to leave Syracuse to Logan Airport in Boston and from there connect to another flight bound for Dublin via Aer Lingus. Easy enough. Right? Wrong. That morning from Syracuse started with my flight being delayed and having me wait around the airport for two hours. When I finally boarded the plane there was a long delay of time on the runway. That was when the captain announced that there were technical difficulties and was unable to fly the plane. From there I had to find another flight to Boston...AND FAST! The next plane leaving for Boston was not due to leave until 5:00pm and my flight to Dublin was at 6:00pm. The only way I could make it to Boston in time was to take the next plane to Laguardia airport in New York. From there take a connecting flight to Logan with hopefully enough time to spare. It wasn't going to be easy, but it was the only way to catch my flight to Dublin on time.

I spent the whole time on the plane to New York with all sorts of thoughts running through my mind. Will I miss the flight in New York? Will there be a delay there? Will my luggage get lost? What if I miss the plane to Dublin and get stranded in Boston? Then what? It's not the actual flight itself I mind. It's the the build up and process prior to the flight that I can't stand. The check in, the security, finding the gate, getting your luggage, customs, the questions...all of this swirled in my mind and stressed me to the point where I thought I was going to be driven to sheer madness. I had been to Laguardia earlier that year and had the advantage of knowing my way around a bit. I knew that my gate was on the other side of the terminal and had to make a quick break for it because time was running out. I ran as fast as I could, making it into the plane just in time. But I was not at ease just yet. I still had a long way to go and so much to do. I was already three hours behind schedule. I knew that once I got to Logan I had to really hustle. My original plan was to make it to Logan early in the day, take my time checking in and finding my gate. Then I would sit, relax and treat myself to a good meal and drinks regardless of expense. There was no time for that now. I couldn't even find the time to grab a granola bar and a bag of chips. Everything was happening so fast.

As I got into the plane making way to my seat I saw a man sitting in first class. He looked to be about fifty or so, very thin, full head of hair, and was sporting a pair of reading glasses. I thought to myself, "My God. That man looks a lot like Anthony Bourdain." To me it made perfect sense to have Anthony on the very same plane I was on. He lives in New York and someone of his status could fly first class. Plus, Logan Airport caters to International flights and he was likely on his way somewhere. But I was still not fully convinced that it was him. I thought maybe I could get another glimpse of him while leaving the plane to know for sure. He was all the way up front and I was pretty close to the back so it would be tricky to catch him. As I walked out to the terminal he was nowhere to be in sight. I thought it was a long shot anyways. I was disappointed thinking that I would never really know if it was him or not. I couldn't dwell on it too much though. There was still so much for me to do and with so little time. I went into the men's room to freshen up. As I walked out I saw the same man from first class standing right in front of me and was talking on his cell phone. His voice was what gave him away. It was all too familiar. The very same voice that I heard coming from my television and into my family room from so many well spent evenings. IT'S HIM! I thought. IT'S REALLY HIM!

I was nervous. I will not lie to you about that. With everything that had been going on throughout the morning I still had so much to overcome. Plus I was running on a bizarre mixture of black coffee, Dramamine, dry toast and airline pretzels. One can only imagine the state my mind was in. When he hung up from his phone call and was about to resume of his tasks I very politely approached him. I had nothing planned or rehearsed. I just said what came from my heart.

"Excuse me. Mr. Bourdain. (I think I said that.) I know you're in a hurry. I am as well but I just want to tell you this. I think you're great. You're wonderful. I love what you do. I love your show. Please keep it up. Keep up the fantastic work that you do."

He seemed very surprised yet extremely appreciative of my kind words to him. He simply went "Wow...thanks man." And he took out his hand to shake mine. As clammy and cold as it was from my nerves getting the best of me, I reached out and did it. What an honor I felt. As we parted ways I suddenly remembered that I should have asked him what pubs he would recommended in Dublin. But with all that was going on it just didn't occur in my mind. There was a sense of me thinking that I blew it.

As fate would have it, I came across him again after taking a shuttle bus to the next terminal on the other side of the airport. I had checked in with Aer Lingus and was about to go through security. Just before I went through I saw him reading the screens for arrival and departure times for Air France. I approached him one last time. "Excuse me. Tony?" He turned around and it was then I realized just how nice a person this guy really is. There was nothing fake about him. Nothing phony or stand offish. He was very outgoing, talkative and friendly as could be. The kind of person you'd sit and talk with in the pub for a few drinks. Had we both not been pressed for time I would have offered him a few pints there at the airport. Rather than just brush me off he gave much thought to my question in regards to any good pubs in Dublin. None could come to mind at that moment but told me that they were all great and to just go into any one of them. He did however recommend to me The Crown in Belfast, but I'm sorry to say that Belfast was not in my plans. Maybe next time.

I thanked him and was ready to leave. As I was walking away he said "Have a great trip." I thanked him again and waved goodbye. From that point on I had no fears of travel. Who would have thought that I would actually meet Anthony Bourdain and get the chance to ask him about some things on the day that I am about to take the trip of a life time? And to think that this all never would have happened if my flight never got delayed and if I didn't take that plane from New York. They say that things happen for a reason. I'm as happy as can be that things panned out the way they did. My meeting with Anthony set the tone of what was about to become. I took it as a sign that this was going to be a damn good trip. For the next two weeks I lived my own episode of "No Reservations". I went to places off the beaten path, met interesting people, tried new foods and drank a lot of great beer. I lived life to the fullest and in return gained some great knowledge and lessons to be learned of in life. It was real eye opener.

This August I'm traveling to England to spend a week in London and then a few days in Paris for my second week. I was inspired to go to England after taking a commuter flight from Dublin to Liverpool last year to visit the historical sites that the Beatles had made famous. If you're ever in Liverpool may I suggest The Grapes Pub on Matthew Street. A real pub that does not cater to the tourists and was actually a watering hole for many of the old Merseybeat groups back in the early 1960's, including the The Beatles themselves.

So that's my story. I hope you all enjoyed it. If I run into Tony again maybe I can finally buy him that drink. Take care everyone.

Rory

Rory, that's a great story! Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.

You're welcome.