Wednesday, 11 May 2005 - 6:16 PM PDT

I totally agree w/ you about it being tougher for black people to beg for money - that was a hard pill for them to swallow - I am sure that those people in the airport thought that Uchenna and Joyce were going to rob them or something.

And why does the show have these non elimination rounds in poor countries? It is hard enough to beg for money, but in a country where they have so little money and having an American (a country known for it's wealth) doing the begging. . . I know it makes for good TV, but I think it's bad for international relations!

Wednesday, 11 May 2005 - 11:31 PM PDT

Hera -

We enjoyed having you here in San Diego. Thanks for coming down! I know I wish we could have talked to you more than just a quick 'hi, enjoyed you on the race' before we had to move on. But, you gotta try to say hi to everyone!

Even though I'm a Romber supporter, and I've heard people say there was some sort of conspiracy to get U&J on the plane, I don't buy it. I think U&J got on the plane fair and square. There were still plenty of opportunities for either U&J or Romber to win or lose it in Miami. U&J finally got some really good luck, got some directions in Spanish, which was the key to helping them win. And, they played good with the karma gods, too, by squaring up with the cabbie.

In the end, I want to see teams that work well together win the race. Teams that support one another, have fun with one another, and show just how strong their bond is. Echoing what you said, they supported one another during the race, and that makes them deserving.

Thanks again for coming out last night! (Some pics are on my web site, if anyone is interested)

Thursday, 12 May 2005 - 5:22 AM PDT

Hera, I wondered myself about the racism thing. U/J is the first black team to ask for money and I don't recall any team having so much trouble before. That man telling Uchenna to get a job was plain patronizing.

Thursday, 12 May 2005 - 7:34 AM PDT

That man telling Uchenna to get a job just made me sick! I was embarrassed to be white at that moment! Anyone with half a brain could see that U & J weren't out to hustle them for money. (gee, what are those movie cameras for? Did that guy not realize his racist junk could make it on TV?) I've been hustled for money plenty of times, and it is so obvious that Uchenna wasn't a homeless person! And even when I am hit up for money, I still show the person respect as a human being!

I will say that I have been on a plane that re-opened the gates to let someone on. I've also seen people walking around holding babies while the plane lands and a whole ton of other stuff that people say "doesn't happen." When traveling overseas, it can (and does) happen! I don't think there was a conspiracy or CBS making calls or anything. If there was a conspiracy, wouldn't they have edited it totally out to totally cover it up? Maybe not - who knows?

I've liked your rants. I'm just sorry I discovered them so late in the race!

Thursday, 12 May 2005 - 11:18 AM PDT

Hera , you're the coolest racer ever !!! And now that the race is over, don't just stop posting :) turn over your weekly rants to gerenal observations etc ...

Tuesday, 17 May 2005 - 9:01 AM PDT

Hey, I'm not black and I love that U&J won, so hooray for the black people winning! Loved Chip&Kim and would have loved it if you and your dad had won. This race is about cheering on the *people* that you like, not the color.

It hadn't occured to me that they were having so much trouble begging because they were black, but I think you are right. Weren't the first people who gave them money a black woman and her white friend?

Also, I really hope U&J consider adoption, perhaps from that orphanage in South Africa. They would make wonderful parents to a child who needs someone to love them.

Tuesday, 17 May 2005 - 6:41 PM PDT

Hera - love, love, love your comments. I agree wholeheartedly with you and enjoy hearing about your life and the other racers. Rock on sister girlfriend; you're the best!

Tuesday, 17 May 2005 - 10:33 PM PDT

Love the fact that Uchenna and Joyce won also, but I don't like the fact that begging in any form is a part of the race. It just seems that Americans being followed around with cameras are not the people that ought to be begging, regardless of color. I really wish that Kelly would have had to cut her hair. I would have paid money for that one.

Friday, 3 June 2005 - 6:41 PM PDT

HERA! You're the coolest! I'm a fellow Marylander (live near Gaithersburg, actually) and you're one of my favorite racers ever. I was so sad to see you guys go, but glad to see you make it as far as you did. I stopped watching after your boot because none of the remaining models interested me.

Anyway... just wanted to say "hi." Stay cool!

Thursday, 30 June 2005 - 6:02 AM PDT

molo sisi, hera
uyaqonda uNzantsi iAfrika
uphayagele uyathetha umnumzana Mcleod
heta herikina ulovulu gqirta!!!!
Sabonnana
sala kakuhle
shapshap

Monday, 9 October 2006 - 5:30 AM PDT

Dear Hera,

Please blog again, or at least make contact with Survivor Sucks ;)! We'd love to know how you're doing lately! Plus, we've got some fabulous Racers to join in the fun, do respond soon! :)