So did Jon, of “Kris and Jon” last season, and I would argue that he was decidedly un-ass-like. Then again, he also didn’t win, so maybe you are on to something here. But I can’t help myself - I have a visceral, violent reaction to Rob whenever I see him that I just can’t get past. It’s stupid and illogical and I know that, but I can’t help it. And you know what? Upon further consideration, I think my problem with Rob might just be Amber. God, I need therapy …
about the money some spent: I believe a few years ago US slapped a $100 fee on Chilean residents landing in the US, so Chile did the same to US residents. So if two people land there, that’s $200 right there before they even leave the aeropuerto.
How cool is it that the Shoeshiners have a union?
Right you are Watsonwil, who was Ron’s partner?? I was saying the same thing.
I love it this year, because Chile, Peru & Argentina are high on my list of places to go.
I’m firmly in the Rob and Amber camp. Antiheroes with a great sense of humor and a consistent set of loose ethics are more fun to root for.
Can somebody tell me why the kid in the Mom/Kid team had a squarish bandage on his face at one point in the race? I had either zoned on something happening to him. . . or they didn’t tell us. Which is it?
They didn’t show us. One second he’s got a bandage on his eyebrow in a cab-- next time we see him it’s gone…
This is what I don’t like, and someone upthread mentioned it - when they caught him lying at the bus station, he flat-out denied it. Amber is in the background looking embarrassed. She smiles at first, like she thinks he’ll cop to the lie, but then Rob gets really defensive and sort of goes off on a tear. Then you see Amber looking down at the ground and she sort looks like she wishes the ground would open up and just swallow her. She knows he’s lying, but she can’t really say anything, obviously, because they’re engaged.
If he’s just there to have fun, then admit to the lie and move on. Laugh it off and get on with it. Don’t turn it around and start questioning the morals of the person who caught you in the lie. Especially with the preview where we see him stealing someone else’s cab with the comment about “This is what you get for calling me a liar” when we all know he did lie.
I guess I’m touchy about it, because with the lying bit, he reminds me of my first husband. He was a pathological liar. He’d lie for no reason at all, and get incredibly defensive when confronted with the truth. He would never admit that he’d been caught in a lie.
But Rob isn’t lying for no reason at all. He’s lying for a million reasons. 
What I like about him is that he’s a game player — a full on 100% no holds barred game player. It’s all about the game to him. And that’s what I’m watching — a game. I want to see game skills. He is introducing tactics and strategies that are pertinent to the game. When he bribes bus drivers to open one door only, I go, “Yes! That’s the way to play it!” But when he keeps his own money and gives the driver everyone elses, I am lost for words. For I am in the presence of divine genius.
Heh, heh. Interestingly, Rob generated the same sort of polar-opposite feelings from viewers regarding his Survivor behaviors.
Say what you will about the tactics of Rob, I now think the producers are a genius for putting him on. I initially disagreed strongly with the move, but after a couple of weeks I realize that it might just result in the best TAR yet. Hate him or love him, he generates a lot of “water cooler” talk. And that generates more viewers, which generates higher ratings.