Ahh, That Was Familiar

After watching the Amazing Race upon my return from travels in Greece and Egypt, I could draw some parallels between what I experienced and what the pair of contestants experience in their travels. Of course my travels were at a leisurely pace and I went a saw everything I wanted, not a desiginated place assigned by someone else. Minus the whole race concept for a million dollars their experience in the cities of the world, though minimized were much like my own and tonight's episode was very familiar to me.

The pairs had to travel to Senegal, Africa. And oh boy when they got off the plane at some ungodly hour of the night and walked outside to grab a taxi, it was like visions of my trip to Cairo. The flight into Cairo arrived at around 4AM and people were everywhere in the airport. You would have thought it was a party or such with all the commotion but we didn't find one. And then when we went to get a cab to take us to our hotel we were meant by a ton of people offering to get cabs for you at such and such a price and practically prodding you along until you get in the cab they have for you. It was madness.

Sure enough the taxis were of all different makes and models. Some even appeared questionable to drive. And it really wasn't scary but different. It really wasn't bad but different. It really wasn't gross but different. I was willing to take the experience as it was and not get all freaked out.

Maybe it's the mentality of the contestants trying to win the race and one million dollars, but most of the teams seemed disgusted and even outraged at the differences. It has to be the "I want everything" mentality of Americans. Sure the cab wasn't one you'd find in New York City. Sure the people don't speak English and why should they? Sure they dress different and have different mannerisms. But none of this is bad but instead different.

A few of the groups definately overreacted and missed what could have been a unique experience. Sure Cairo smelled. Sure the people always tried to get a few more dollars out of you. Sure certain areas appeared questionable but how do I know?

Tonight's Amazing Race episode was very familiar. And I'm glad I took in every bit of my experience in Africa. That includes the sketchy taxis, the nagging drivers, the ghetto areas, the smelly things, which ultimately adds up to their culture. Something different from Americas but not bad.