The Longest Pit Stop...Ever

Just when I thought this season's The Amazing Race Asia couldn't get any more difficult for everyone, I was wrong again.  All the remaining teams really had a difficult time driving around the streets of Taipei--and I totally felt for them, especially since I had to wait at the pit stop the entire time they were struggling to complete this leg.  As if driving around town wasn't enough, the teams also had to find a correct Blu-Ray disc and also a "souvenir coin" in a coal mine in the outskirts of town.  To top it all off, because this leg also had a Fast Forward, our host team had to "set up shop" early at the pit stop a potential early arrival.  Even though we were all happy to see the first team of Sam and Vince stroll into the pit stop with their new tattoos, none of us would come close to seeing any of the other teams until late until the night...and even the following morning.

Now, before we to prepare for the arrival of the teams, we still need to complete other shots in different parts of Taipei such as Yang Ming San...

We then drove over to Xi Men Ding to do another link...

With time running out, we found a nearby street to pop off the the final shot before we headed off to the pit stop location at the Taipei Astronomical (NOT Astrological ) Museum...

On this same street, there's a special Chinese massage where they literally light you on fire.  Don't try this at home!!

I sometimes forget how rushed everything is during the race to get from one point to another.  Of course, when we do finally set up for each pit stop, then it's time to once again play the "waiting game."  During the initial portion, we shoot some more PTC's (Piece to Camera) in close vicinity of the pit stop just in case a team "surprises" us...

The first several hours waiting at the pit stop usually aren't too bad.  But when the sun has set and everyone is still waiting for teams to arrive, it sometimes seems like an eternity, especially this particular leg.  Personally, I'd rather be doing a task or anything for that matter so all this waiting around is pretty tough for me.  While some of the crew can take a quick nap...

I'm usually too amped so I have to resort to jumping around to release that extra energy!

People have always asked me what do I do while I'm waiting for teams to reach the pit stop.  I wish I could say I'm more productive with reading a book, playing a game on PSP, or even medidating.  But me?  After the crew is sick and tired of hearing me talk, I usually end up trying to pass the time by attempting to lay down and rest somewhere.  Sadly,  it fails everytime no matter how tired I am.  So in this leg, by the time I go out to perform my first "mobile elimination" this season with Mai and Oliver, over fifteen hours have passed since Sam and Vince checked in the day before. 

It's always tough see a team get eliminated, especially after how much they have put in mentally, physically, and emotionally.  But at the very least, our production crew can pack it up and get set to fly off to the next location!

Hmmm...I wonder where we go next? 

Find Out Next Week!!