A friend of mine suggested the travel theme ‘Gaudy’ after reading about my trip to Las Vegas. That made me giggle; it’s true that Vegas is quintessentially gaudy but I didn’t want to single it out as the sole perpetrator of flashy ostentation, so here are a few flamboyant encounters I have had in other cities.
Never, ever combine silver leggings, ethnic prints and blue wigs. Unless you’re promoting a show at the Edinburgh Fringe.
I was happily enjoying an amble along the Jersey shore when I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of these shorts for sale. They scared me a little – pink’s not a good colour for me 😉
Hiking out on the Olympic Peninsula, my gaze was torn away from the breathtaking scenery by a rather ostentatious sign advertising fishing bait. A giant, irridescent metal fish was suspended from a 20 foot high fishing rod. I found the pink eye a little unnerving.
And last, but by no means least, I give you New York. Every year, Governors Island hosts the Figment Festival, giving New Yorkers a reason (as if they needed one) to dust off their fairy wings, don their tutus and break out the roller skates.
The word gaudy comes from the Latin gaudium meaning enjoyment or merry-making and while today the word may have a slightly negative connotation, it is, at its root, a celebration of the joy of excess. So go on, I dare you, embrace your inner desire to revel in colour and go seek out the excessive, the flashy, the clashing, the showy and the offensively bright. You might just have an awful lot of fun along the way! If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Gaudy
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
Razzle-dazzle me.
xxx
Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
I love the helmet – and the boots – and the wonderful sense of humour the man must have. Do tell me, is the bottle containing water actually striped pink too?
It was just the reflection of his gloves, but that would have been the perfect finishing touch 🙂
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My photos are rather mundane. I discovered that apart from ones like this I don’t take ‘gaudy’ pictures. http://apostadayfor2013.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/travel-theme-gaudy/
Oh but those colours are awfully cheery 🙂
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This is a really fun theme! http://beyondpaisley.net/2013/02/09/travel-theme-gaudy/
Yikes, the lights in that top photo were toned down? Really? The ceiling of the map room is amazing. and yes, Louis’ hair is terrifying! 🙂
The lights used to go all the way up over the roof of that house! And they had animated Christmas figures lighting up their front lawn. It was a nightmare.
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I love all those colours, here is my contribution http://thegingerbreadcafe.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/travel-theme-gaudy/
What a glorious sheet of yellow, beautiful!
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Hi Ailsa! Here’s my entry for this week’s challenge;
http://mylifeafterglow.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/travel-theme-gaudy/
Love it, the Ramen girl carries it off perfectly, but I can’t stop looking at the frog outfit. 🙂
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Pingback: Weekly Travel Theme: Gaudy « Lagottocattleya
Ok, I like this! I’m joining the crew! And here’s my gaudy: http://underapoplar.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/travel-theme-gaudy/
Welcome, allsho, I’m very glad you joined in this week! Carnival is a photographer’s dream, so many amazing costumes. 🙂
Stunning entries…colourful and bright! Here’s my take!
http://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/weekly-travel-theme-gaudy/
Wonderful images, lagottocattleya, I love the festival shots, but wow, that Lars Wallin outfit is out of control. 🙂
I didn’t look at the price tag…
OMG awesome! Figment Festival??? It’s like Burning Man decided to throw up on NY for a day!
Haha, it’s EXACTLY like that, Shelli 🙂
Pingback: Travel theme: Gaudy Valentine | A Number of Things
This is a fun one, Ailsa! I’ve got some gaudiness for Valentine’s Day, since it’s coming up this Thursday – http://newpillowbook.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/travel-theme-gaudy-valentine/
Very cool, I love the hearts on the wall too (and of course the turtles!)
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my version of GAUDY:
dressed after caught by carnival bacillus!
That carnival bacillus spreads like wildfire, doesn’t it, frizztext? 😉
I will do this! I just spent a week in Vegas- wish I’d known sooner – I could have tailored my pictures!!
Oh Vegas, the capital of gaudy. Did you have a good time, vastly – and did you win big?
It was all work- no play! After 8 hours on my feet we all came back and had some great Dinners and then that was it. I was hesitant to wander around alone but the Cosmopolitan Hotel is FABULOUS- 3rd time I’ve stayed there- I highly recommend it. If I can ever figure out the mosaic feature I will run a blog about it! Kathryn
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Thanks for a much needed blast of color! I found some too:
http://ehkstream.org/2013/02/10/travel-theme-gaudy/
You can’t beat a little gaudy goodness to chase away the winter blues. Wonderful photos, that Red Trumpet is gloriously gaudy!
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Awesome pics 🙂 mines here http://the-serenity-space.com/2013/02/11/travel-theme-gaudy/
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What a fun theme this week! http://travel-monkey.me/2013/02/11/ailsas-travel-theme-gaudy/
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Hers my gaudy entry 😉
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Gaudy or gorgeous? You be the judge!
http://patriciaddrury.com/2013/02/11/travel-theme-gaudy/
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My attempt for the week: http://ididitforjohnny.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/travel-theme-gaudy/
Hopefully, memories of this hot day will help warm things up in New England!
Here’s my contribution: http://shopwithintent.com/2013/02/11/travel-theme-gaudy-shoes-maketh-a-woman/
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Colorful and happy gaudy images, Ailsa! 😀
My entry for this week: http://drieskewrites.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/travel-theme-gaudy/
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here are mine ailsa, maybe not too gaudy, but colourful and fun .. http://imagesoftheheart.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/travel-theme-gaudy/
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Ailsa, You mention Vegas and I think Elvis!
http://quotidianhudsonriver.com/2013/02/11/2-11-13-travel-theme-gaudy-elvis-edition/
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What a fun theme! Here’s my entry!
That first shot is brilliant Ailsa. Mine is about Pena Palace in Portugal http://rainbowbakery.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/travel-theme-gaudy/