Week 5:
"Twist-A-Roo"

by
Andy Zarowny

Day 13 was an unlucky one for both tribes.  Tensions explode between
Jeanne and Deena.  Jeanne is very mad, very mad indeed.  First, she got
slammed by the rest of her tribe, except for Shawna, when they voted off her
ally, JoAnna the previous night.  Later, when trying to sleep, she over-heard
Deena say something to the effect of, "She's not part of the team."  More
on that in a bit.  Meanwhile, Shawna is sinking deeper into a depression. 
She wants to go home, but the Girls Club won't ditch her, yet.

Over at Tambaqui, it's another day of work.  Alex is using his machete to cut
a tree branch, presumably for fire wood or perhaps for improving their hut.
While hacking at the branch, the machete bounces up and smacks Alex
above his right eye.  There's a deep gash, and the Boys huddle and offer
some first aid.  The bleeding is stopped and the wound is treated, but he'll
have a nasty scar.  Alex quips that, "Chicks dig scars."  Uh-huh!

Back at Jaburu, the ladies have a group meeting.  Jeanne confronts Deena
about her remarks last night.  She is visibly agitated.  Deena offers some
lame excuse that she was referring to Christy and her behavior the first 3
days of the game.  But Jeanne wasn't buying it. 

Tree-mail arrives and both tribes are ordered to send their youngest mem-
bers on a journey to a special location.  The message speaks of wine and
laughter.  Those left behind are jealous as Dave and Jenna leave.  The two
kids paddle their way to a rendezvous.  They arrive at a nice hut and find
Jeff awaiting them.  He explains that this is an opportunity for them to inter-
act and learn about each other's tribes.  There is also plenty of food, wine,
a shower, and a nice, soft bed.  Jeff leaves them alone and promises to re-
turn in the morning.

Dave and Jenna are elated.  They change into comfortable clothing and stuff
themselves with food and wine.  Jenna loosens up and blabs all the details
of her tribe's political situation.  Dave listens and offers only general bios
on Tambaqui.  As night falls, they take turn with the shower and head to
bed.  Dave is VERY HAPPY!

The couple awake and chow down on breakfast.  Jeff shows up carrying an
clay pot full of name plates.  He spills them out and flips them all face up,
then gives each their own.  Jeff explains that they are to select five names
each and form new tribes.  The two are stunned.  Dave begins picking Heidi.
Jenna takes Alex.  When done, the new tribes are Dave, Roger, Butch, Heidi,
Christy and Jeanne for Tambaqui.  Jaburu is now made up of Jenna, Deena,
Shawna, Alex, Rob, and Matthew.  Jeff issues extra buffs for the new teams
and the two return to give their tribes the news.

Matthew, Alex, and Rob are none too happy.  They think Dave sold them out.
Heidi and Christy are sad to leave Jaburu.  Jeanne is not.  She's pleased as
punch to be getting a fresh start.  Jeanne is really happy when she arrives
and sees that the men have a nice shelter.  Their camp is well organized. 
Christy shocks the guys when she tells them she's deaf.  They had no clue.
When The Boys arrive at Jaburu, Shawna springs to life.  Her funk is over.
Deena is not pleased at all.  Rob is ecstatic.  He fantasizes about Jenna and
Shawna walking around naked.  Back at Tambaqui, Christy is made welcome
during the evening 'bull-session', as the men set up lanterns so she can see
everyone speaking.  Christy likes her new tribe.

Day 15 and Deena is worried about her position in Jaburu.  Shawna and Alex
have hit it off and Deena suspects that Shawna's loyalties may have shifted.
Tree-mail arrives and it's time for the Immunity Challenge.  Both tribes
gather as Jeff explains the event.  It's another two-part'r.  The 1st part is a
word search, to find the correct 5 of 10 words hidden and scrambled.  Each
word is a symbol of the Amazon and has a corresponding flag out on the
river.  Once each tribe solves the word search, they then must paddle out
and retrieve the correct flags.  First tribe back on shore and with all five
flags inserted into a crate wins.  Jaburu gets an early lead, but Tambaqui
struggles back during the second phase.  It becomes a rowing race.  Jaburu
squeaks-out a victory. 

Tribal politics unravel at Tambaqui.  The girls decide to stick together and
draw straws between booting Roger or Butch.  Butch loses and becomes
their target.  But later, Dave chats-up Heidi.  She is guaranteed a spot in the
merge if she votes with The Guys and ousts Jeanne.  Oh well, Heidi didn't
like her anyway. Jeff quizzes them about how they will vote.  It's weakest
link (Butch) versus alliances (Jeanne).  Heidi sells out the girls at Tribal
Council and Jeanne goes with a 4-2 vote.  You are the weakest-link,
Good-Bye!

SPOILERS:  Tambaqui has a tender moment as Christy endears herself
with The Guys.  Meanwhile, at Jaburu, love is in the air as Shawna and
Alex woo each other.

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