by  Arthur Perkins
 
The pit stop release times from Novosibirsk are:
Margie/Luke 1218am
Tammy/victor 1124am
Jamie/Cara 1230am
Mel/Michael 101am
Mark/Michael 102am
Kisha/Jen 128am
Christie/Jodi 309am
 
Note that Christie/Jodi are almost 2 hours back of the next closest team and almost 3 hours back from the leaders. However, what have we learned about Amazing Races and bunching? Yes, it happens once again at Novosibirsk airport and all teams are effectively bunched there, making the Speed bump as the length of time Christie/Jodi will have to make up to stay in the race. All teams are ultimately flying form Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport to Delhi with some possibly doing so via Almary. The biggest variation in routing was to Moscow as some teams flew to Sheremetyevo and others to Moscow’s Domodedovo airport. That transition cost 5 teams the later flight into Krasnoyarsk due to slow customs processing but there should be none of that leaving Russia. From CBS video extras we know that at least Tammy/Victor went to Domodedovo airport and then had 4.5 hours to get on the plane at Sheremetyevo. We do not know why because CBS withheld that footage. In any event, they made the connection and so did all teams because there was huge slack.
 
Teams are flying to Jaipur, India the Pink City with a 4 million population. It has a range of sights along the roads to provide a feast (frequently a revolting one) for the eyes, but those scenes are  unquestionably quintessential India. Teams see cows (sacred in India) wandering anywhere they choose, other stray animals, children eating garbage, fires in the streets and garbage strewn everywhere. However, the most annoying thing was the honking of automobile horns, which is loud, incessant and for no apparent purpose most of the time. The first clue is to go to the village of Dhula and find the sacred Peepli Ka Pedh  tree. This is not as easy as it sounds, as 2 teams have to wait for their taxis to be refueled en route. Christie/Jodi got way behind as a result, possibly also due to taxi driver ineptness. Mel/Michael also got behind but they miraculously caught up. Teams have to dial a phone and listen to an accented message “go to Amber Fort parking”. Now Amber Fort (I’ve been there) is a famous landmark on top of a hill and it’s easy to find; it appeared that the parking was almost as easy, as no team had difficulty.

All teams arrive at different times, with Tammy/Victor there first. It is a brutal physical challenge, to carry buckets of water across a field to a ROADBLOCK “ Care for Camels” and then enough baskets of feed. Teams were to use a “native tool” to help them. Victor tried the smaller metal water bucket for the feed, but then he spotted a pile of lovely baskets just the right size for this task. He finished quickly and was leaving the field as other teams were arriving. Mel for some unknown reason elected to do this physical task; Michael was hurting watching him, but once Mel figured out using a basket he was home free and finished this task in second place. Way to go, Mel! The next 4 teams arrived fairly close to each other. The only noteworthy comment I  make on them was the sight of Kisha trying to stuff feed inside her shirt was pretty funny before she figured out the basket. Christie/Jodi arrive well after the others and Jodi gives it a go. She does an excellent job of shaving some time off their deficit.

The next clue says to go to a Rajasthani puppet store at Johri Bazar, Ramniwas Rampogal shop #131. The clue is a DETOUR, Mover or Shakers. Movers requires teams to select a wagon loaded with barrels containing straw and transport it 1.5 miles to Zorawar Singh Gate, where they must then empty to barrels to find a small elephant charm. Only Mark/Michael elected this task. Shakers requires dancing skills once makeup and a costume are donned, with a traditional Rajasthani troupe to earn rupees from the onlookers. When they reach 100 rupees (approximately $2 U.S.), they get their next clue. The 6 teams doing this appeared very enthusiastic and finished relatively quickly. Jaime/Cara freak out when there taxi driver cannot be found, but he shows up a bit late.

Before they could do the DETOUR, Christie/Jodi had to do their Speed Bump, which proved to be going to Kalahaduman (that’s as close as I can translate from Phil into English) Temple for an elephant with marked areas on its trunk and filling those areas with powdered colors (the type used in AR13 for Holi). They did this well and in reasonable time. When they were done they did Shakers and then left for the pit stop, Jaigarh Fort 15 km from Jaipur.

Tammy/Victor were out front from the taxis at Jaipur Airport and they finished well ahead of the other teams. Mel/Michael continued their good performance to achieve 2nd. Three teams all arrived at essentially the same time. The elimination was a contest between Christie/Jodi, who were reported to leave their DETOUR ahead of Mark/Michael. And Mark/Michael, whose Movers DETOUR was apparently closer to the pit stop. It was a very close ending, but Christie/Jodi were eliminated. They worked so hard to make up time and almost did so, it was a pity to see them go.
The finishing order for this leg was:
1.Tammy/Victor
2.Mel/Michael
3.Kisha/Jen
4.Margie/Luke
5.Jamie/Cara
6.Mark/Michael
7.Christie/Jodi, who were eliminated 

For more Amazing Race Links visit Sirlinksalot.net