The Amazing Race 5, Episode 5: Walk Like an Egyptian

Last week, eight teams left Argentina and headed to St. Petersburg, Russia. Everyone exchanged words at a bus station after a line mishap led to people cutting. Colin & Christie were able to complete the Detour quickly, but Brandon & Nicole lagged behind when Brandon came to a conclusion that he was too holy to drink vodka. At the Roadblock though, both teams had issues and fell a little behind. Chip & Kim managed to close that gap and finally finish in first place. Cyber Love (Bob & Joyce) had issues finding a flight out of Argentina, which put them back far enough behind the twins to be eliminated. Seven teams are left, we’ll see what happens tonight! First though, let me introduce you to the teams that are left, in the order they’ll leave the Pit Stop.

• Chip & Kim – Married parents/Gaining my esteem
• Colin & Christie – Dating/Might get engaged/Sentimental Favorites
• Marshall & Lance (Crass & Rude) – Brothers/Jerks/Bullies
• Charla & Mirna (Chmirna) – Cousins/Sentimental Favorites/So damn cute
• Brandon & Nicole (the Hypocrites) – Models/Hypocrites/Dating/Related to John the Baptist
• Linda & Karen – “Cool Moms”/Bowling partners
• Karli & Kami – Twins/New bottom feeders

We begin at Catharine’s Palace, which is 20 miles outside of St. Petersburg. This is the fourth Pit Stop in a race around the world. Teams arrived here at the end of the last leg, and have 12 hours to eat, sleep, and mingle with the other teams. Can Chip & Kim hold onto their lead now that they are in first place? Somehow, I doubt it, but we’ll see!

Like I was saying, Chip & Kim were the first team to arrive at 9:11 p.m., so they’ll leave at 9:11 a.m. Their clue tells them to head to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Once there, they will be accompanied by a curator who will follow as they look for Rembrandt’s “Return of the Prodigals Son” painting. When they find it, they will get their next clue. Each team has $123 for this leg of the race. Chip says it feels good to finally be in the lead!

9:42 a.m. and Colin & Christie are leaving the Pit Stop. Christie says they may be having little spats, but they are working together perfectly. I love this team and really hope they do well. I must say, they are one of the smartest racing teams I have ever seen! Ugh, they are SUCH Sentimental Favorites. At 10:00 a.m. Crass & Rude head out. Marshall’s legs are still killing him from the last leg. I’d like to say I feel bad – but I don’t. 10:13 and it’s time for Chmirna to head out. Mirna says they are committed to the race and will push it to the limit. They ask a local where the “choo-choo” is but the guy has no idea what they are talking about. Mirna comments on his “nice mouthful of gold teeth.” Ha! Kim & Chip are already at the train station. They get on the fist train that arrives and are ahead of the other.

It’s 11:50 and the Hypocrites are leaving the Pit Stop. Brandon states how much he loves Nicole, yadda, yadda, yadda. He suggests they walk to the train station to save money, but Nicole, who is beginning to look more sane, says they should take a cab. As they head to the train station, Brandon sees that was a good idea. Chmirna is still walking to the station though because they can’t find a cab! Colin & Christie get to the station and board the second train – geez, there is snow everywhere! At 12:14 Linda & Karen are off. They hail a taxi right away. Almost 40 minutes after the moms, the twins leave the Pit Stop last and get a taxi as well. Chmirna is STILL looking for a taxi, but eventually walk all the way to the station!

Chip & Kim are at the museum and begin to hunt for the painting. The third train leaves the station with Crass & Rude. It wouldn’t be an episode without them making fun of the locals, and this time they say that everyone is Russia is miserable, which makes them miserable too. Oh please, they’ve been miserable for the whole race so far – give me a break! Colin & Christie arrive at the museum, while Chip & Kim are looking for help. Chmirna are on the train, and ask a local where the painting is in the museum. The local informs them to look on the second floor. Smart move! The brothers arrive at the museum and begin to look as well.

The 5th train leaves the station holding the Hypocrites. On the train, they profess their love for one another. It’s actually not as stomach turning as it sounds. Over at the museum, Chip & Kim finally find the painting. Colin thinks the Prodigal son is Jesus. Oh dear – looks like they need the divine grace of Brandon & Nicole to help them. Chip & Kim’s clue tells them to get to Cairo, Egypt, and then go to the top of the Tower of Cairo, a 600 foot observation tower.

The moms finally get to the train station, but miss the train. This gives the twins the opportunity to catch up, and they do. Both teams are on the last train. Linda comments that it’s “the moms versus the twins!” Colin & Christie find the painting and instead of heading to the airport for plane tickets, they seek out a travel agent right away. Crass & Rude just start pointing at everything and asking “Is this it?” and they eventually point at the right painting. Chmirna is looking for the painting as well, yet taking time to enjoy themselves. I think that’s why I like them so much. The Hypocrites arrive at the museum, and God ascends from the heavens to tell them where the painting is. Actually, he doesn’t, and they go looking just like the other teams had to. Chmirna find the painting and head to the airport. Brandon finds it as well, and yells in the museum. Nicole tells him to hush.