Farewell, Frank
Frank Garrison, the 43-year-old telephone repairman was the 10th person voted off Survivor: Africa. He appeared on The Early Show to discuss the game. In doing so, he revealed a softer side than had been apparent during previous episodes.
At Thursday night's tribal council, Teresa had a tough time voting out her friend and ally. It turns out Frank told her to.
"I knew that I had a target on me from day one. So I told Teresa, 'Keep your distance from me,'" he said. "'It's been a nice long run. But I want you to stay in the game. You keep striving forward and keep away from me.'"
But the old, familiar Frank soon appeared.
"People today are over-sensitized, politically correct. I just speak my mind. Respect is a two-way street. If you don't like my opinion, or what I have to say, I'm not going to change.
He admitted that the most difficult hurdle was "dealing with other players, especially when the basics had to be acquired - the fire, the water, the security around there. I knew there would be a couple of that would be just too relaxed - that this was a Club Med vacation."
When asked who the most difficult person was, most people would have guessed he'd say Brandon. Not so.
"Not any one in particular. It was just in general," he said.
A viewer sent in email wondering how he kept from punching Lindsey and Brandon in the mouth. She thought he should have won the million just for putting up with them.
Given the chance to vent his frustration with the brat packers, he was surprisingly laid back. "I think they're just a younger generation. I think there's different priorities they have today. They're young kids - they have directions to seek out. They'll be fine."
Frank had hoped to use his skill as a hunter in Africa. "I went over there thinking I could climb up a tree, over a water hole, spend 10 - 12 hours and take out a gazelle, a warthog or something of that nature. Suddenly I find out I'm on a vegetarian Survivor. I said 'I'm in trouble now.'"
It turns out the preserve is off-limits to hunting. In the '60's and '70s, poachers had decimated the animal population and Kenyan officials banned hunting to allow the herds to replenish.
Early Show Co-Anchor Jane Clayson admitted that she liked him best in the last 30 seconds of the show when Frank said his goodbyes.
"Well, someone had to wear the black hat, and it was me."
Clayson wanted to know why he wasn't nicer during his time in Africa.
"I couldn't have been that way. Then I would have been an actor. It wasn't me - it didn't come naturally."
The Early Show's Mark McEwen asked where he had gotten his values.
"I think from an old-fashioned upbringing. I grew up when you used to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag; you said your prayers, you were brought up 'yes ma'am, no sir'. You put in a hard day's work. You give 110 percent and hope to get 20 ercent back."
He said that his military service was important. "To me, the most important job you can have in this country is serving your country. As a policeman or fireman - something you can give back, because freedom isn't free. There's a sacrifice to be made."
Frank was asked what he learned from his experiences in Africa.
"I think it taught me to be a better listener, to have a little more patience. We always need those adjustments. Physically, I needed to get fit again."
"It was an unbelievable experience. It was the African experience I wanted. That's why I applied. Never in my lifetime did I think I'd set foot on that continent. Thanks to all the folks from the top to the bottom - it was just super."
And it turns out Frank is quite the family man. He has a wife, two daughters and a third on the way. She will be given an African name when she's born in February.
Like all the exiled castaways on Survivor, Frank was asked what he wanted out of life now that the game was over. He replied he wanted to work with children - that it's important to teach and guide and most importantly, love them.
Sounds like a plan.
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