Amazing Race Fodder

The Amazing Race 12 Heads to Ireland

And they're off! 11 Teams start their trip around the world in California. All of the teams arrive at the famous Playboy mansion via classic convertables. For a complete run down of the teams racing, please see last week's team announcement blog. Ok, have you finished going back and reading about the contestants? Good. Here we go. First impressions, Kynt & Vyxsin crack me up. I have lots of respect for people who are not afraid to express themselves. No, really I do. "Goth is like a celebration of beauty" Kynt tells us. Already annoying me? Jennifer & Nathan, Ari & Staella, and Jason of Lorena & Jason.

There will be 11 legs to this race. 8 of them are elimination rounds where the last team to check in will be eliminated. As Phil drops his arm and says GO, the teams race to their backpacks in search of their first clue. It tells them to fly to Shannon, Ireland. They hop in the provided SUV's to get to LAX. Nicolas & Donald jumped in the first car, effectively blocking everyone else from leaving the drive. Rather than just taking off, they waited, counted their money and then left only after the rest of the teams bombarded them with honks.

As usual, teams drive off pell-mell without thinking about where they are going. Azaria & Hendekea manage to turn the correct way, but get worried later and turn back. Lorena & Jason are familiar with LA and LAX and know exactly how to get to the airport. They are followed by Nathan & Jennifer, Kate & Pat, Ronald & Christina and Shana & Jennifer. The rest go the wrong way and take longer to get there, which they think puts them at a disadvantage.

Teams on the first flight are Lorena & Jason, Shana & Jennifer, Kate & Pat, Mariana & Julia and Nathan & Jennifer. All of the rest end up on the second flight. Before departure, there is a small alliance formed already between Ronald & Christina and Azaria & Hendekea. They find someone to lend them use of their lap top and call ahead for two taxis to meet them at the airport when they arrive.

Remember how bummed out the people on the second flight were? Well, they ended up arriving first due to a delay in the other flight's lay-over. See, sometimes it is Ok to catch a later flight.

Now, for the treachery! Ari & Staella stole Ronald & Christina's taxi right out from under them. It was only after they had been driving for a while that the driver realized that he had the wrong people. At least he felt bad. Ari was gleeful in their "coup". I even recall him saying something to the effect of -- I'm not worried about Karma. Well, OK.

Teams arrived at Rossaveal Ferry Port to board a ferry to Inis Mor Island, where they need to find Teampall Bheanain, the world's smallest church. Upon arrival they had to sign up for one of three ferry times 8:00. 8:30 and 9:30. 8:00 had Lorena & Jason, Kynt & Vyxsin and TK & Rachel. 8:30 had Ari & Staella, Nathan & Jennifer and Azaria & Hendekea. 9:30 had Ronald & Christina, Shana & Jennifer, Kate & Pat, Nicolas & Donald and Mariana & Julia. On the run to sign up for ferry times, Donald tripped and ended up being the first blood vicitim. Don't worry he's OK. Jennifer & Nathan argue because she is not a "long-distance sprinter" (her words not mine), and freaks out when Nathan starts to say to her "All the other girls..." Yeah, I think I see this couple going places.

The next clue teams recieved told them they had to drive 42 miles to Cleggan Farm where they would ride a tandem bike to get to their next clue. The first three teams got directions from locals (I LOVE Irish accents!). Now, here is why Jason annoys me: They all have the same directions and he turns the wrong way. Lorena tells him the other teams are not with them, and he ignores her. She tells them they are going the wrong way, he says no we're not the other teams are just far away. Don't worry Lorena you have directions too! She retorts with Yes, and they say we should be going the OTHER WAY! Does he turn around? Nope. And here I thought you were smart up until now.

TK & Rachel get ahead of Kynt & Vyxsin as their tandem bike breaks down. Once the teams get their next clue, they find a ROADBLOCK. In this Roadblock, one team member must pedal a high-wire bicycle over 200 feet int he air, while their teammate hangs suspended below for the ride. Yikes!

The teams receive their next clue which tells them to pick a donkey and load it up with 15 pieces of peat and lead the donkey back to the farm entrance to receive their next clue. It was readily apparent that teams with animal lovers that were kind to their donkeys made the best progress. Ari threatening to eat his donkey if it wouldn't move, did not endear me to him in the least.

The new clue told teams to drive themselves 13 miles to the Pit Stop for this leg of the race at Connemara Heritage Center, a tribute to the agricultural roots of Ireland.

The teams arrived at the Pit Stop in the following order:

1. Azaria & Hendekea who won a trip to Canada (eh)

2. Kynt & Vyxsin

3. TK & Rachel

4. Jason & Lorena

5. Nicolas & Donald

6. Shana & Jennifer

7. Ronald & Christina

8. Kate & Pat

9. Mariana & Julia

10. Nathan & Jennifer

11. Ari & Staella -- eliminated from the race.

Well, I cannot say that I am sorry to see this team go. I doubt I would have lasted a whole race listening to Ari. Guess you should have been worried about Karma, huh? Tune in next week for more exciting race and exotic locations!

Posted by Wendy on November 5, 2007 11:09 AM
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Well the first episode started like I thought it would, I was quiet pleased overall. No real favorite yet, the three teams I liked the least came in last.

I was actually shocked that the Goth team came in so well. (and if anyone tell me that Kynt is straight, I'll show them a piece of swamp land in Jersey for sale cheap).

Out of a 1 to 5 I give tonight's episode a 3.5, it was just good to see Phil again. YEAH!!!

On that note, see you next week

Peace

Mike

-- Posted by: Kalico at November 6, 2007 08:05 PM

I agree that it was entertaining. I always think it gets better when I get to know the couples better. (unless of course they are annoying me).

See ya next week.

Wendy

-- Posted by: Wendy at November 7, 2007 06:24 PM


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