We start back in Florence, Italy, which is, as Phil tells us the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Florence is one of the most incredible cities I've ever seen, and it is such a shame that the racers don't get a minute to look at the Duomo Cathedral or Michelangelo's David statue. Oh well, we're in the race to race, so let's race! Nick and Grandpa arrived first last week with their double lame tattoos, so they get to head out first at 10:12 PM. The clue tells them to fly to Mumbai, India - another reason to stay in Florence - and travel by auto-rickshaw to a newspaper stand to purchase a newspaper that has a clue hidden in it as an advertisement. They set out, immediately find a computer, locate a flight and use a phone to buy tickets. Done! They go back to the hotel to sleep some more until their flight leaves at 6:50 AM. Nice work, guys!

I would be on this team tonight.

The Babies set out next and tell us how embarrassed they are that they acted like such screaming whiny idiots and that they are making a concerted effort to hold it together and be mature from now on. Good luck with that, psychos. They get in a cab and head straight for the airport. No internet for them. Moronald and Christina are next and Moronald gives another one of his meaningless speeches, comparing the Renaissance of Italy to the Renaissance of himself as a new man trying to make his daughter proud. Oh puke. They stop at a hotel to use the computer and phone and get their reservations taken care of in short order. The Hippies are fourth and remind us that they are going to stay mellow. And last but not least are Jem and Rio, braving the looming danger of the Speed Bump. Hang in there, little Rock 'n Roll cartoon dolls! Jem tells us that she feels like she's waking up from a bad dream because it's so rare that she and Rio aren't in perfect sync and we get a flashback of the car fight with Rio screaming at her to stop the car right now. If you'll recall that's right before Rio destroyed the car entirely. But that's all in the past and now they are ready to face the future, including the dreaded Speed Bump.

The Babies arrive at the airport, which is closed. Nate takes the words out of my mouth, saying, "Who would think that the airport would be freakin' closed?" Especially in Italy, home of the all-night party. I would have been less surprised to see the airport closed at one in the afternoon when everyone goes home to nurse their hangovers. Moronald and Christina arrive, followed by The Hippies, and everyone comes to the grim realization that they will be sitting on the ground outside until the airport gets around to opening. Jem and Rio soon join them and at 4:30 AM the doors finally open. The Babies and The Hippies practically trample each other trying to get to the ticket counter first, but the joke is on all of them because that doesn't open for another hour.

Nick and Grandpa Donald wake up much better rested than anyone else and get into a cab for the airport. Jem and Rio decide to go against the grain - imagine that - and get into the Lufthansa line while everyone else waits in the Air France line. Nick, Grandpa, Moronald and Christina all pick up their pre-reserved tickets and The Babies manage to buy some at the airport. This leaves The Hippies and Jem and Rio still looking around to find their passage to India. Jem and Rio end up arranging something that arrives just a few minutes later than the first flight, but The Hippies are going to be a couple of hours behind. Jem and Rio decide that it will be a good strategic move for them at this juncture to pretend to be all worried and distressed. I'm not exactly sure what affect this is supposed to have, but Rio says that they are relying a lot on performance art right now. I guess they don't want The Hippies to discover that there is an earlier flight than the one they purchased.

Witness the Gothic performance art.

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Last Comment: pac401 on Jan 7, 2008 07:03 AM.