Tacky Tourist Photos

Fergie hams it up with Russian soldiers, known to melt at the sound of the Black Eyed Peas.

Hey, the Nicaraguan military is available for reality TV shows, so why wouldn’t the Russian Army stop what it’s doing for an Avon perfume press conference?

Fergie, whose passion for Tacky Tourist poses was just demonstrated by her waxual self-harassment at the Las Vegas Madame Tussauds, used the ex-Soviet soldiers to promote her new fragrance, Outspoken Intense.

Might we suggest her next photo-op: We understand that the Ecuadorian Special Forces have a special thing for the ladies!

The Infamous Cairo Camel Leap is not as easy as it looks!

SUBMITTED BY: Emily Berezin   LOCATION: Cairo, Egypt (2009)

Wouldn’t the Middle East Peace talks be a little less boring with cheerleaders?

This once-in-a-lifetime pose was not done with Photoshop or trick photography. Emily simply jumped off the camel, which is resting on its stomach on the scorching desert sands of Giza.

Emily’s enthusiasm, optimism and exuberance (we read a lot into a facial expression) represents the upbeat attitude of the Tacky Tourist Photos executive board as we launch a new decade of searching for the world’s silliest vacation photos.

From all of us here in the TTP newsroom, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(Globetrotter Emily Berezin, a pioneer in recycled supermarket fashions, frequently enjoys playing dress-up with the Ecuadorian military).

Ecuadorian Special Forces soldier tries to impress the American chiquitas. Why does the gun on the right look like it belongs to Elmer Fudd?

SUBMITTED BY: Emily Berezin   LOCATION: Baños, Ecuador (2007)

When the Ecuadorian Special Forces are not sneaking across the Peruvian border or doing military drills with turtles in the Galapagos Islands, they like to play dress up.

Specifically, they like to dress up young female American tourists with hopes of scoring a phone number or email address.

Flirting aside, both Emily (on right) and her friend Hannah don’t look like they are swimming in the flak vest or uniform. Maybe the Ecuadorian Special Forces don’t have access to a shoulder press. And do they trust every pretty face with their automatic rifles and grenade launchers?

Hey, Hannah, nice of you to keep the gun pointed at your friend’s kneecaps.

Says Emily: “I will never look so cool again in my life!”

(Emily Berezin is a Pittsburgh sculptor, seamstress and artist who loves to satirize consumer culture and confesses an obsession with insects. Despite her macho posturing, she secretly has a much softer side.)