Last week I wrote the the most raw, unapologetic, honest, and dark article of my life; a 5,000+ word memoir of the day I nearly ended my life and the events that led up to that bottomless pit I had fallen into. But the article was also about life and triumph, how I’ve fought an internal war with myself and come out on top, and how death has become my inspiration to travel.

So this week, I wanted to lighten the mood up a bit since that post carried a helluva lot of weight to it. Colors and I have an interesting history the past five or so years. I’ve written about how colors after the death of my father lost all meaning, and up until I started traveling, my life seemed as though I was in a monochrome void.

When I would see certain colors; greens, yellows, purples, blues, and others, it would transport me back to that fateful day as if color had become the harbringer of nightmares.

And then something happened.

I started seeing colors again, and for what they actually were.

The moment I stepped foot in New Zealand and began my first ever adventure abroad, it was as if the nightmare had become a peaceful dream. I could see the golden plains, the turquoise waters, the bright blue sky, the lush green forests. It was like looking through a kaleidoscope, with colors dancing on my retinas.

Travel suddenly made my life vivid again. And I want to share that with you.

The Capture the Colour Contest tasks travel bloggers to pick out five of their favorite photos to best match the color categories: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, and White. Now before we get into it, let me make something clear. My neighbors in the north and across the pond have an obsession with complicating words by sticking a “u” on any that end with “or”. Well, this Yank ain’t messing around with them shenanigans, ya hear? Expect that spelling error to end now. =P

The challenge has some pretty juicy prizes like an iPad, a Fuji camera or an Arc’teryx shopping voucher, depending on their choice, while one overall winner will receive a huge £3,000 travel fund. Pretty freakin’ awesome I must say. So I’ve chosen five photos that not necessarily are my favorites, but that elicit the vivd change travel brought.

Yellow

In New Orleans, street performances are all over. But this one caught my eye instantly, a face protruding out of a worn golden picture frame. The reason behind why I chose it was because when I was younger, I would look at paintings and use my imagination to take myself there. Wish I could be in that beautiful painting. This time it is me looking out from the painting I’ve created for myself.

White

Standing on the edge of the cliffs at Cape Spear, I watched as an ominous white mist crawled over the ocean. The tiny lighthouse sits perked atop guiding weary sailors away from harm. It felt as though I stood at the world’s end, but it was just the beginning of an amazing adventure across Canada and a new country on my list.

Red

As I exited the plane in Port Au Prince, one of my first impressions of Haiti was music. I was greeted by eager musicians waiting to have a chance to play for someone. This gentleman with his red accordion instantly caught my eye with his serious demeanor while playing a much more cheerful tune. Haitians are strong willed people,  but besides their smiles, music really brings out the heart of Haiti.

Green

What better way to experience the wilds of a country than to sleep across it in a hammock. For 3 weeks we lived in the wild Northland of New Zealand, waking every dat to the gentle swaying green grass and the sound of the crashing water. I wasn’t watching life pass by me anymore, I was swinging life away in paradise.

Blue

New Zealand is always accused of dying their water because it is just so damn blue! Well, New Zealand’s  stunning lakes and oceans get those sapphire hues naturally, and standing on that rock with a feeling of triumph helped make blue a beloved color again.

And to pass on the colour…erm COLOR challenge, we must pick 5 other bloggers to add to the contest! Here are my choices!

Zak from Spark Punk

Kristin from Be My Travel Muse

Matt from Landlopers

Jim from The Tripologist

Flora from Flora the Explorer

Thanks to Seattle of Seattle’s Travels for nominating me!

Which photo was your favorite paired with a color?