The Amazing Race - Fall 2011 - The Devil is in the Details

You'd think the Amazing Race contestants would have figured this out by now. Teams can be eliminated, or set back, if they do not follow the instructions (all of which are written at the 5th grade level or below). If it says "go on foot," then why are you hailing a taxi!

That is what happened to quite a few teams last night. They didn't slow down enough at the orpanage to read the rather prominent sign on the table which instructed them, in English, to leave ALL of their money... not just what they had earned dancing in the streets.

So the Survivors didn't survive.


I wonder if the teams will slow down now and pay attention to the details. Winning is not all about how fast you run, or how quickly you go on to the next task.... it has a lot to do with strategy. One strategy is to pay attention to the details.

Me? I wish the flight attendants could have stayed around. They were warm, good natured guys.

Jet and Cord Off The Amazing Race - Unfair?

It apparently isn't all about team skill anymore or Jet and Cord would still be racing around the world. Last night Jet and Cord, the Cowboys, and my personal favorites, were outdone by a collective decision to boot them off the show (pun intended).

The other teams ganged up on them and shared information on the measurements from one end of Lichtenstein to the other... 22km. I wonder how many teams would still be riding back and forth trying to measure Lichtenstein if they had not shared the answer with each other. To me, that is an unfair shortcut for some teams.

Having said that, the scenery last night was beautiful. I've traveled by train to Lichtenstein. Didn't try Fondue, but enjoyed a good schnitzel!

Jet and Cord Back on The Amazing Race

I always have favorites on The Amazing Race. Jet and Cord, fondly known as "The Cowboys," were a favorite team of mine. These Oklahoma cowboys were strong, creative and persistent. They have a good chance of winning this second time around.

The Amazing Race starts tonight on CBS. Here's the lineup.

Nat and Kat Come in First - Nick and Vick Continue.... Oddly Enough

What an exciting episode of Amazing Race! The Hong Kong lights were so beautiful I almost considered putting Hong Kong on my list of things to do. Specifically... a night time harbor tour!

But what the Amazing Race is all about is the race. Who are the strongest physically and emotionally... and intellectually? It appears that Nat and Kat, the doctors, are a step ahead of everyone in all three categories.

Last on the list are the unfortunate couple, Nick and Vicki, who should have spent a little more time growing up, learning better coping mechanisms and hitting the books... rather than the piercing and tattoo parlor. They are still in the race only because Vicki has clearly sweet-talked tired Nick into staying. She may regret this... I know I do!

From L in Santa Fe, NM: I think Nick and Vicki should have been eliminated in spite of the fact this was a "non-elimination round". They gave up. Who decides (and when) anyway that it's a non-elimination round. Didn't they even get one of those before when they came in last? I think they were kept simply because they are controversial.

The Amazing Race - Nat and Kat Still In - Women's Costume Change

I've been waiting for this.... finally the racing women are less, shall we say... racy! I wondered if traditional dress in any of the countries where our amazing racers were sent would dictate how they dress, but until now, the women were at home in sports bras and tank tops and the guys enjoyed their guy t-shirts.

But now, the gang has traveled to Oman. The Omanis are primarily Muslims and we know that traditional Muslim women do NOT wear sports bras, tank tops and stretch pants in public. So, without any discussion, our racy women showed up in loose fitting t-shirts covering their cleavage and sports bras. It was time that the customs of the nation where they visited were followed a bit more than usual. Usually, the contestants are so wrapped up in their race and in themselves, that they pay little attention to what is going on around them!

And, I can happily report that my favorites, Nat and Kat, are using their brains to win challenges and are certainly still in the running. I find it hard to believe that Nat is a Type I Diabetic. They are amazing women running an amazing race!

Smart Cars - Details - The Amazing Race is On!

So they started in Glouster, Massachusetts and left via uber-cute smart cars. I was glad to see there were dash-cams on board vs. trying to stuff a cameraman in the front seat as has been done in the past.

As I watched the stressed out competitors I remembered how important the details were. You had to buy a ticket via the flagged line, not just any ticket line for American Airlines. Sometimes the really competitive people overlook the details in their haste.

Oh then there is London and driving on the left side of the road...under pressure. So the "birth mom" is not skilled at driving a stick-shift and burns out the clutch. And, Nat and Kat, the doctors, are in a great routine to maintain the health of the partner who has type I diabetes (I am impressed!). Nat and Kat come in 2nd after the "Renaissance Fair Games."

I was not impressed that tatoo'd Vicki had never heard of Stonehenge.... oh please! Perhaps she has spent too much time in the tatoo parlor! Oh yes, then there was the "battlement" knowledge gap.

Meanwhile, Eastnor Castle looked like an interesting place to visit. Beautiful grounds.

So it's all the way with the doctors, for me. What did others think?

The Amazing Race - I'm out but it's on!

I love the reality TV show, The Amazing Race. While, I have opted to avoid the real-life "amazing race" by staying away from airports for awhile, I love watching others, totally stressed out, yet enjoying their travels and the hopes of winning a million dollars.

I always find myself rooting for the different couples, sometimes the underdogs. Last time it was "the cowboys," another time it was "the hippies." I always like the positive competitors and shun the teams that can't get along and are inter-personal disasters.

So tonight The Amazing Race starts at a beautiful historic seaport. I wonder which team will capture my loyalty? I wonder what others think.