Jaunted

After what some claimed was a frisky pit stop at the Primavera da Serra the racers headed just three miles to km marker 114 on SP 225 where we are guessing the ubiquitous Alaya Adventure Center hooked the teams up with a zip ride.

Once the teams finished the zip crossing they boarded staggered buses back to São Paulo where they hopped a plane to Moscow.

On the ground in Moscow, the teams set out for Chaika Bassein, where the 1980 Olympic dive competitions were held. You know, one of those places where Drago and the rest of the CCCP machines trained day and night to kick ass in the 1980 Olympics. Um, well, since the U.S.A decided to boycott those games, and they were held 26 years ago, you may or may not remember this place.

However, it was here, at Chaika Bassein, that we witnessed our very own Olympic triumph. Did you see "Miracle on Ice"? Well, Wanda's performance in the pool was a miracle beneath water. Wanda, who is deep aquaphobic, put on a bathing suit in front of many Russians, which according to Michelle is not easy to do, dove off a 10 meter platform and after much coaxing from her eternally patient daughter forced herself underwater to retrieve the clue. Don't know about you but we could almost here Herb Brooks whisper in her ear, "This is your time! Now go out there and take it Wanda!"

The "miracle" was complete when Wanda resurfaced and climbed out of the pool, only to have a group of Russian men clapping for her while they laughed hysterically.

After the pool it was off to Smolensk Cathedral at Novodevichiy Monastery where the "detour" message was delivered. Racers chose either trolley washing or pulling apart over 1500 dolls at Dubrovka theatre. The hardest part of this detour seemed to be communicating with the Russian cab drivers. Some teams, like the hippies, MoJo, and the nerds took what seemed like ages to reach their respective destinations. Monica even had a bit of a Han Solo moment in the cab, when she told her cab of nerds and Jo, "I have a baaad feeling about this." The Amazing Race always seems to come down to the luck of the cabs.

Finally it was off to Red Square where Phil awaited them. You could tell by the extra smug look on Phil's face that a surprise was in store, and sure enough, when Jeremy greeted Phil with a flippant "What's up Philly-style?" Phil countered, "This is not the end of the leg, you will continue racing, however, I do have your next clue.

So what did we learn last night?

Deep aquaphobia is for real, and so is xenophobia, at least for Mo, Lake and Michelle.  Phil can pull off the fur look, which is not easy for a man to do. Finally, even if you lose your passports, you are never out of this race.

America's Moment of Shame:

Monica: We're in Russia guys. All I know is Russian people drink and smoke a whole lot.

Final Thoughts:

To Be Continued...

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·   Chasing Racers: AR Mashup [Jaunted]

Where: Moscow, Russian Federation

Tags: Amazing-Race

by markj