Kynt & Vyxsin were agog that they were headed for Amsterdam. The "hippies", TK and Rachel, were equally moved — Rachel barking with expected retro-bliss, "Amsterdam, that's going to be bitchin." Kynt — or is it Kunt? — said, "I really can't wait to get to Amsterdam...I know they are going to love Vyxsin and I there."

By David W. Taylor (Email The Author)
Reality Reel Media
11.17.07

And I suppose the impression among these teams is that a city flush with political tolerance for legalized prostitution and "soft drug" use would be a haven for a couple of freakish goth aficionados and two laid back so-called hippies. But in Amazing Race terms this proved to be a misjudgment — Amsterdam, especially for the two boys, came across as somewhat daunting. Sorry, there were no runs through the Red Light District or through a Weed Coffeehouse.

Working along the incredibly quaint canals of Amsterdam, TK had a huge problem securing simple knots and tethering odd pieces of furniture in the "Hoist It" Detour. After many agonizing minutes of fumbling terribly, and embarrassingly, his lithe girlfriend, Rachel, traipsed down from the top floor of her appointed Amsterdam townhouse, rolled up her sleeves, and proceeded to knot and hoist the bulky furniture like it was nobody's business.

Also having trouble roping and moving cargo was Nathan. TK could be forgiven, perhaps, what with his "hippie" credentials and all. The high-flying implications of which — all purely conjecture — could be mountains of cannabis cookies and long-term brain impairment?

But strapping Nathan? His romantic sidekick, Jennifer, had to begrudgingly take over after Nathan imploded, and she hit it hard. Knots and all. Lickity split, up and over. What's with the men today? Are they essentially useless? Even the foppish Kynt — "I'm not one of those get 'down and dirty' kinda boys. I'm kinda prissy" — was able to lasso and haul the huge Grandfather Clock skyward with a bullish effort.

Not to worry though, dudes, the Mark Walburg clone, Jason, held the mantle for straight men everywhere...making mince meat of both the Detour and the "Ditch Vaulting" Roadblock, thrusting himself and his girl, Lorena, into First Place. For a minute there I was getting worried...

The big Amsterdam hurtle for Kynt was the Ditch Vault. He finally made it over but only after flailing around a few times like a rag doll. And when it was time to ride the "Bakfiet" to the Pitstop the heftier Vyxsin was assigned to transport the muck-bespattered Kynt in her forward cargo basket. I don't know if this was the Amsterdam welcome the Goth pair were expecting but I would have to say that they pulled through, despite the hardships, rather well.

In that context Hendekea said it best: "Kynt & Vyxsin are serious competitors. Kynt runs around like he's on speed." Very true. And we got a glimpse of that right after Kynt made his final successful plant into the mud bank: he shrugged-off the filth and sprang up like a jack rabbit, jetting over to the Clue Box like an Antelope. It was almost cartoonish.