Danya Alhamrani, winner of the "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations FAN-atic Special" casting call, writes about her expectations and day-to-day experience working with Anthony Bourdain.
May 10, 2008
As I watched Tony walk out of sight at the airport at 5:30 a.m. on his way to his Royal Jordanian flight to New York it hit me, for the first time since this adventure began, Anthony Bourdain was just with me in Saudi Arabia. It's so hectic and crazy working on a show like this that you don't really have time to sit back and realize what you are experiencing during the shoot. But when it's over and you have time to reflect you become conscious of all that has happened and how it has impacted your life.
The experience was so surreal; it feels like it didn't really happen. Only remnants of the encounter (my nose peeling from the sunburn I got while on a boat in the Red Sea, a scratch on my leg from walking into a cactus-like plant while in the desert, dinner leftovers from the night before with Tony and the ZPZ crew) are proof that everything actually occurred.
I have never won anything in my life and to win such an extraordinary opportunity was the best first prize ever!
Tony usually ends a scene by saying "We have learned something here today." Well, what I have learned from this experience is that under the crusty, cynical, sarcastic exterior is a shy, sensitive, kind, intelligent man, with a faith in humanity that I have seldom encountered. It warmed my heart to see him comfortable and relaxed as he drank tea or smoked shisha with my friends. It was endearing hearing him laugh as he joked with members of my family. It was charming seeing his smile as we bounced over sand dunes with a crazy driver at the wheel as I gritted my teeth in fear.
It's been a pleasure sharing my world with you Tony, but more so thank you for sharing a bit of yourself with me.
April 29, 2008
It rained this morning. Lying in bed at 6 a.m., I heard the pitter-patter of raindrops sprinkling outside my window. I never thought I could be that excited that early in the morning. I have been praying for rain for the last few days, hoping it happened a few days before Tony gets here. It's been HOT! When it rains here, the weather tends to get cooler, and everything is better when it's windy outside. I am writing this while sitting outside at a sheesha (Hukah) restaurant, waiting for the food to come, and the weather is BEAUTIFUL! Tony, get here QUICKLY so you can enjoy it with me.
I'm sitting with the producers Amy and Nari. They are both wonderful young ladies. Women in Saudi Arabia, as you probably know, cover their hair, and they wear a long dress-type thing over their clothes, usually black, called an Abaya. It was so cute to see the girls for the first time as they walked off the plane in the airport. I was looking for Amy with her big curly hair, but low and behold, they were all covered up.
I'm so tired. There are only a few days left until Tony gets here, which is a good thing because I'm sick, I'm exhausted and I need some time to recuperate. But on the other hand, the weather is beautiful, which is atypical of this time of year, so I wish Tony were here now. The food just got here, gotta go eat.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Right now we are fine-tuning the story line. Trying to find the balance between food and non-food things to do in Jeddah has been the main focus of the past few days. I keep seeing the show playing in my head and thinking of scenes from past shows, even watching some, and can't believe that this show is actually going to be HERE! Whenever I watch the show, I get hungry and excited and feel like running out to get something good to eat. Although, I must say I have never had a craving for warthog rectum. Right now, I am craving Indonesian food, either that or some Udon. Gotta go get me something to eat.
Friday, April 11, 2008
I just checked the website to see if they had announced the winner of the competition, sure enough it was there! But it got worse, I kept going from page to page, seeing pictures of myself and information about me. Maybe I was naive or I didn't think that far ahead, but I never thought I would be getting THIS much exposure. I am realizing even more how I hate being in the public eye. I'd rather be behind the camera than in front of it. I'm just going to have to shut that out of my mind and focus on the days to come. Tony kept asking me if he was going to have fun, I just hope I can deliver.
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