The Amazing Race 31 - Episode 2 Blog Party

That's quite the start we got off to last week! I remain surprised that Rupert and Laura squeaked through to the mat. Will they be able to do it again this week? I was even more surprised a previous TAR team was Philiminated. Was I surprised that the leading teams to the mat were previous TAR teams? Nope. Unfortunately, Art and JJ, although good people, were the weakest returning team. Now the BB and Survivor folks just have the tougher ones against them.

I'll be live blogging the main events and constantly updating this entry as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest happenings! As always, the real party is in the comments -- feel free to join in on the fun!

Lifeguard SueGee was kind enough to open the gate for stragglers and re-shuffle the blog pool to reassign the first boot folks. So, here's the latest blog pool update going into tonight --

From Big Brother:
Rachel & Elissa - Delee, Nickelpeed
Nicole & Victor - Jackie, Jennifer, Jenna G (obviously the J Crew!)
Janelle & Britney - Donna in FL, David, Monty924

From Survivor:
Rupert & Laura - Brian, JonMD1267
Corinne & Eliza - Dr_Celine, Caela, Willie J
Chris & Bret - Paula B, Megan in NC, SueGee

From TAR:
Colin & Christie - Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd - Merrilee, Judi Sweeney, Glenn Allen
Leo & Jamal - Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane, Cheryl in NC
Tyler & Korey - Sharon N, Ed in Ohio

Philiminated:
Art & JJ

Where will we be racing to tonight? Let's go!

They're heading to Laos next. Colin tells us he's grown since last on the show 15 years ago. We'll be the judge of that.

Rachel/Elissa have a failed attempt to work with Team Fun (Becca/Floyd). The Survivor teams drift to each other and are all on the same flight.

The teams have to "give back" to the Monks. But there is a waiting period. Corinne/Eliza have a bit of run-in with the Afghanimals and find out they're not Team Fun.

Teams make their way on foot to the next clue and encounter a Double U-Turn. Rachel thinks they really need to U-Turn someone while the Nicole/Victor don't see the need. Then we go to commercial.

GAH! She U-Turns Team Fun because they wouldn't work with her. 

Detour has them memorizing the Lao alphabet or prepare barbeque. 

Team Fun U-Turned Tyler and Korey. They did it mainly on the suggestion of the Afghanimals who didn't want the blood on their hands.

The alphabet is very tonal which is hard and the BBQ has them getting the ingredients which might be harder than cooking them!

Upon completion of the Detour, they're off to Elephant River. Heh. Elissa has to tell Rachel to calm down. Rupert finished the alphabet and claimed, "We did something!" He was proud. Team Fun finished both Detours and are ahead of many of the teams who had only one to do.

Roadblock - The Afghanimals make it first. They must use Lao commands to make an elephant cross a river, then find a musician on the other side. Nicole and Victor are second. Nicole is thrilled to be on the elephant!

They head to the Pit Stop by boat and Phil said MAY be eliminated. It's Victor/Nicole and the Afghanimals in the lead.

Pit Stop order
1. Leo/Jamal - won $2500 each
2. Nicole/Victor

Rupert is having elephant trouble despite he claims that's his soul animal

Wow the teams coming in one after another.

I can't keep up with it.

Both teams with U-Turns are safe.

Last to arrive are Rupert/Laura -- Philiminated

I'm surprised they didn't go last week.