Episode 13.3: Reading is Fundamental

On this weeks episode of “Why Reading is Important”, Mark & Bill provide our object lesson in clue reading. As the racers leave Fortaleza, Brazil, they head to the airport to catch flights to La Paz, Bolivia where they choose between a band and a very uncomfortable bicycle before having to wrestle women for the pit stop clue.

It was apparent 5 minutes into the episode that we were going to be packed full of tension as the normal airport jockeying was reduced to Phil’s voiceover, and two lines on the Amazing Map. Doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you know you’re in for a good episode.

And the rest of the episode didn’t disappoint. The race to the Detour clue ended anti-climactically for the teams as they were forced to spend the night outdoors waiting for the morning paper to arrive. The delivery was followed by the feverish searching of the paper by each of the teams. It would seem to me that the fastest way to find the clue is to start scanning the entire paper looking for English sentences. But whatever their tactics, each of the teams find the clue and make their way to the hat store.

The Detour clue, received after purchasing a traditional Bolivian hat, offers the team two choices, and instructs them to walk to the location of the Detour. Both Mark & Bill and Terence & Sarah miss this vital portion of the clue and hop taxis instead. Unfortunately, only Terence & Sarah realize the mistake in time to correct it. The ominous crash on the sound track accompanies Mark & Bill as the fly through the Detour and head onto the Roadblock.

At the Roadblock, the 12,000 ft elevation of La Paz rears its head and sends Mark into a bit of a tailspin while practicing for his wrestling match. He eventually recovers, but not before most of the teams pass them.

In the race to the pitstop, they manage to beat out Kelly & Christy, but are forced to sit out a 30 minute penalty. Having arrived in next to last place, the odds are against them surviving the penalty. Sure enough, Kelly & Christy arrive in time, and, after a long drawn out spiel by Phil, find out that they are in 8th place and have survived another day.

Mark & Bill were very classy in their elimination speech. You can’t exactly blame your inability to read the clue on anyone but yourself, after all. I’ll miss you guys! I think I’m rooting for Toni & Dallas now.

Racer Preview: Kelly and Christy

Kelly & Christy are best friends, and have been for the last 10 years. As a former dancer and cheerleader, they seem to have the physical aspects of the race covered. But with little travel outside the US, they may be in for a shock. Their status as an all woman team will also put them at a disadvantage if the race ventures into any of the male dominated societies around the world.