Survivor Nicaragua - September 29/10

I am slowly coming down from my birthday high...which was mostly wine induced. Thanks for your good wishes. Now down to business.

It is night 6 and the LaFlorivians have just returned to camp having given Shannon the golden boot. While there is much talk about becoming a unified tribe, NaOnka is having nothing to do with it. She assures us they are not one big happy family and there is no point in pretending they are.

The next morning finds us at Camp Espada. Marty has located some howler monkeys and reasons that where there are monkeys there is likely to be fruit. I learned two things from this scene. Howler monkeys are really big, and grown men shouldn't try to talk to monkeys, which is exactly what Coach Jimmy proceeds to do. Even while talking to monkeys Coach Jimmy has his fans, but Marty isn't one of them. He is angry and tells us that everyone has glitter in their eyes and wonders why their team got saddled with a celebrity. He tells Jill that Coach Jimmy should be the next to go, but Jill advises that he show the Immunity Idol to the rest of the tribe to show them that he is all about team solidarity. As requested, Marty brings out the idol and reveals it to the Espadates. The tribe is suitably impressed, especially Jimmy T. who can't believe that Marty would share is treasure with the tribe. However, as Marty privately tells us, only one person can actually use the idol and that person is Marty. The other person not buying the idea that Marty is sharing the idol just to be a nice guy is Tyrone. Tyrone thinks that Marty is in it for himself (a wise assessment, I'd say).

Dan who, until now, has not been given much air time, tells us he is not getting much sleep. He is worried that the tribe will see him as a weak link but assures us that he is as strong as any of the women, and believes he is a much better physical specimen than Coach Jimmy. Meanwhile poor Dan hobbles around camp and makes sitting down an endurance sport. His struggles are noted around camp and there is talk that Dan should be the next to go.


Over at LaFlor the young guns are gathered around the campfire watching Jud (in snorkeling mask) blowing on the fire to get it going. Jud has a coughing fit which gets everyone laughing like they are...well...stoned. It's wood smoke you nobs. This is what happens when you are born after the 70's. Jud tells us that he wants to amuse the group but wants to be kept around for more than just his humour. As soon as I identify what else Jud has, I will post a special edition on the blog. This guy is as dumb as the tattoo girl on Amazing Race (but that's another story). Chase, Brenda, Sash, NaOnka and Kelly Purple are cementing an alliance while Alina and Kelly B. are looking more and more like the camp outcasts.

Dimples calls the tribes in for a combined Immunity and Reward Challenge. The reward is a Survivor garden with fruit, a herb garden and assorted food products. The winning tribe must roll 10 barrels out of a field, place them on ten separate platforms, then throw sandbags on top of the barrels. The tribe that gets a sandbag on top of all 10 barrels first, wins. Benry is a star for the youngsters and Tyrone has a good start for the oldsters. But, when Tyrone begins to have problems, he is reluctant to turn the sandbag throwing job over to anyone else. Meanwhile the LaFlorians (who opted not to use their medallion of power) come from behind to win.

When Kelly B. picks up the fruit basket to take it back to camp she sees a rolled up clue hidden amongst the bananas. Also spotting the clue is NaOnka. NaOnka helps carry the basket and when they reach camp she knocks Kelly B. down and grabs the clue, smashing a few bananas in the process. NaOnka has no remorse, telling us she would do the same thing again and that she would push Kelly so hard her leg would fall off. NaOnka's mom must be so proud of her. NaOnka shares the clue with Brenda but they are unable to solve the clue. The only thing they are certain of is that Alina should be the next to go.

At the Espada camp the strategizing begins. Jimmy T.tells the Coach that his talents are being wasted. Tyrone is in the hot seat because he wouldn't let anyone else throw sandbags during the challenge. Marty is enjoying the tension. The way Marty sees it, he needs to get rid of Coach Jimmy. If he gets rid of "daddy" the tribe will either crumble or come to him for support. He talks to Jill about his plan, but Jill does not see Coach as a threat. She believes Danny, Holly and Coach are all operating at about the same level.

When the votes are tabulated at Tribal Council it is, indeed, Coach Jimmy who is heading home, judged by the tribe to be physically too weak and strategically too much of a threat. Joining the coach for the final down is Kathy from the pool. Who will be next...I really hope its NaOnka!!

Until next week,
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Jill I'm actually the brains behind Marty but he doesn't know it Behm)