The Amazing Race: Bolivia

The teams are breathless in La Paz, Bolivia, (elev. 13,000 feet) as they trudge up hilly streets. They all could use a little of the Marching Powder, if you know what I mean. Mark requires oxygen toward the end of the leg.

Though the racers are physically slowing down, the rivalries are heating up. One of the divorcees accuse Starr of throwing her sports bra over a ledge during the previous Pit Stop. Throwing her sports bra? Nick and Starr are incredulous.

Perhaps it's the accusation motivating Nick and Starr to try to persuade Ty and Aja to U-Turn the divorcees. Why do the dirty work yourselves? Aja quietly rats them out, adding flame to the feud. The feud will continue at least one more episode as the divorcees are spared elimination, thanks to Mark & Bill's half-hour penalty.

The geek team took a taxi to the Detour instead of going on foot as the clue mandated. Did the producers want everyone huffing and puffing as much as possible in the high altitude? As my early favorites, I'll miss Mark & Bill.

Saved by an Easy March

Marisa and Brooke turn in a decent performance, after coming in second-to-last in each of the first two legs. The "southern belles" start off badly, unable to find the clue printed in the morning newspaper classified. At the Detour, they wisely pick the Musical March option, in which they must find a team of band members in the park and lead them to the bandleader.

I am surprised that all but two teams pass on this easier option and pick the Bumpy Ride instead. In the Bumpy Ride, the teams wear feathered helmets and feathered gloves, riding rickety wooden "bikes," with squarish wheels over bumpy, trafficked roads. Several racers fall; no one is injured badly.

The Roadblock is the best one in a while. Called "Fighting Cholitas," one team member has to learn six wrestling moves and use them against a Bolivian woman in a full-length wide skirt. After a quick practice, the racer wrestles the woman in a boxing ring before a crowd of cheering men. The contestants wear strange superhero costumes. Ken, aka "Mr. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup" performs all the moves with ease. He and his prickly wife win the leg again.