After watching a rebroadcast of an episode from 2006 where Tony Travels to Beirut, Lebanon. The episode starts a few days before Israel’s full scale invasion of Lebanon is to takes place. While filming the show which was originally intended to focus on the current state of Lebanese culture and food, Tony’s crew just happens to find themselves within earshot of the events leading up to Israel’s decision to escalate its age old conflict with Hamas to a level that involved fighter planes, Abrams tanks, and 20,000 soldiers. It was the capture of an Israeli soldier for those of you that missed the news way back then. Tony’s crew was filming when Hamas supporters were celebrating the capture of the soldier. Before the invasion Israel began its retaliation with air strikes on targets all over the city including one which resulted in the destruction of the international airport Bourdain and his crew were supposed to use for departure. After the strike on the airport the tone of the show changes in to a guerrilla styled documentary about the film crew’s “Escape from Beirut.”

Anthony Bourdain lives the life I’ve been dreaming about my whole life. I’m talking about traveling all over the world, eating new foods, vacationing, and interacting with new cultures. All while earning a paycheck. His commentary coupled with his self professed of love of Alcohol in all its many forms make for some very entertaining shows. No Reservations is the best show on the Travel Channel hands down.