Richly Deserved: The Amazing Race Episode 3

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This week the teams headed from Amsterdam to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (or as one said, “ooooo whatever this place it”) and onto the village of Bingo. No word on whether it’s full-card or one-line, but I digress.

Here’s how the racers did.

AZARIA AND HENDEKEA: Two wins in three weeks. And they have a lot of the attributes of a winning team. They’re respectful of other teams and eachother. They’re sharp. And they stick to the gameplan. They were happy to go to Africa because they’re from Ethiopia. Azaria lost time in the roadblock because his first camel wasn’t co-operating in giving him milk. They really won after that, first by enlisting a local who points them in the right direction (some other teams followed their lead) then buckling down in the “learn it” detour where they had to learn and recite back 10 words in the local dialect. They made the pit stop in a wind and rain storm. They won a vacation in Bermuda. With a little more luck on their side, they’re a tough team to beat.

TK AND RACHEL: A good leg for these two as they just win a five-way battle for second. They credit their calmness and if they don’t lose that, that will be key to them travelling far. TK does a nice job at the road block (hope he enjoyed that fresh Camel milk). They do have early trouble leading the camels along the path but recover well. They choose the “teach it” road block (to teach a local kid 10 English words), and do a nice job with their student. The race to the mat in bad weather was so close, it was only a matter of who found it first.

NATHAN AND JENNIFER: Nathan worries that Jennifer stresses him out, yelling at him if he says something wrong. They get a great flight to Paris and gain a big lead after the other plane develops mechanical problems. But the lead evaporates away as all the other teams get on the plane with them to Burkina Faso. A spill of milk sets Nathan back a bit at the road block. Then their edginess hurts them a bit at the Learn It detour. Amazingly, they are third, but if they don’t cool down, it could cost them dearly later on.

KYNT AND VYXSIN: The Goths continue to impress. Never in any real trouble. Vyxsin completes the roadblock nicely. They complete Teach It o.k. and arrive at the mat safely in fourth. They get the race. Nice and calm. Enjoy the ride. We should see them a few more weeks.

RONALD AND CHRISTINA: Oh oh. Ron developed a hernia due to exertion. Because of their slow start, they just make the plane to Paris so a lucky start. Ron still has to learn to cool it with his daughter. He’s still having fun though, as he sang to the camels (who asked him in their language to shut up). He also showed quite a knack for teaching at the detour. A good leg for these two but again, Ron has to be more of a friend and less of a father to Christina for this team to have any real success.

NICOLAS AND DONALD: Donald exposed way too much of his 68-year-old body last time. He was a little more covered up this time thank goodness. He also took the road block (which is good because he can fulfil his obligations early and let the kid do those which require more skill). They then showed they could teach as well. If he holds up, they have potential.

SHANA AND JENNIFER: They had a little trouble adjusting to Africa, not liking the flies and realizing you must give the cabbie exact change or you won’t get any change back. Unfortunately, Jennifer had a lot of trouble getting the desired milk from the camel. They get a good student though and safely beat the bottom two to the pit stop. Hope they don’t leave yet. Shana (to me) is still the best piece of eye candy on the race.

LORENA AND JASON: This was clearly not a good leg for Lorena and she’s got to keep her emotions in better check or this race is over for them. Lorena did the road block. Bad move. The camel wasn’t co-operative and Lorena freaks out. She never relaxes as milk spills and she gets kicked by the camel. They barely survive the Learn It detour. First to nearly last. Lorena, calm down, loosen up, or you guys are gone.

MARIANNA AND JULIA: Another hot pair who leaves us way too soon. Julia’s overexcitement may have got the best of them. They got off the plane early but otherwise trailed throughout the leg, were slow with the road block, and got beat by Lorena and Jason at the detour. They did give Lorena good advice at the road block. Nice girls. But not quite up to the Amazing Race.

Until next week.