Believers in apocalypse hide, party near 'end'
Source: Agencies |
December 22, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AS the sun rose from time zone to time zone across the world yesterday, there was still no sign of the world's end, but that didn't stop those convinced that a Mayan calendar predicts the apocalypse from gathering at some of the world's purported survival hot spots.
Many of the esoterically inclined expected a new age of consciousness, others wanted a party. But, in some places said to offer salvation from the end, fewer people showed up than officials had predicted - much to the disappointment of vendors hoping to sell souvenirs.
According to one rumor, a rocky mountain in the French Pyrenees would be the sole place on Earth to escape destruction. A giant UFO and aliens were said to be waiting under the mountain, ready to burst through and spirit those nearby to safety. But there was bad news for those seeking salvation: French gendarmes, some on horseback, blocked outsiders from reaching the Bugarach peak and its village of some 200 people.
Eric Freysselinard, head of local government, said the security forces had "partially stopped the new age enthusiasts as well as curious people from coming to the area."
Meanwhile, some Bugarach residents dressed up like aliens, with tinfoil costumes and funnels and fake antenna on their heads, strolling around their village yesterday to make light of the rumored UFO prophecy.
Doomsday rumors have prompted some people across Russia to stock up on candles, water, canned foods and other non-perishable foods. The apocalypse has proven a good business, with some shops selling survival aid packages that include soap and vodka.
In Moscow, salvation has also been promised in the underground bunker for former Soviet leader Josef Stalin - with a 50 percent refund if nothing happened. An underground stay was originally priced at 50,000 rubles (US$1,625) but dropped to 15,000 rubles a week ahead of the feared end.
The bunker, located 65 meters below ground, was designed to withstand a nuclear attack. Now home to a small museum, it has an independent electricity supply, water and food - but no more room, because the museum had already sold out all 1,000 tickets.
Hundreds of people converged on Stonehenge for an "End of the World" party that coincides with the Winter Solstice. Arthur Uther Pendragon, Britain's best-known druid, said he was anticipating a much larger crowd than usual at Stonehenge this year.
Meanwhile, end-of-days parties were held across London yesterday. One event billed as a "last supper club" offered a three-course meal served inside an "ark."
Some Serbs said the place was Mount Rtanj, a pyramid-shaped peak in Serbia.
According to legend, the mountain once swallowed an evil sorcerer who would be released on the doomsday in a ball of fire that would hit the mountaintop.
The inside of the mountain would then open up, becoming a safe place to hide as the sorcerer went on to destroy the rest of the world. In the meantime, some old coal mine shafts were opened up as safe rooms.
Many of the esoterically inclined expected a new age of consciousness, others wanted a party. But, in some places said to offer salvation from the end, fewer people showed up than officials had predicted - much to the disappointment of vendors hoping to sell souvenirs.
According to one rumor, a rocky mountain in the French Pyrenees would be the sole place on Earth to escape destruction. A giant UFO and aliens were said to be waiting under the mountain, ready to burst through and spirit those nearby to safety. But there was bad news for those seeking salvation: French gendarmes, some on horseback, blocked outsiders from reaching the Bugarach peak and its village of some 200 people.
Eric Freysselinard, head of local government, said the security forces had "partially stopped the new age enthusiasts as well as curious people from coming to the area."
Meanwhile, some Bugarach residents dressed up like aliens, with tinfoil costumes and funnels and fake antenna on their heads, strolling around their village yesterday to make light of the rumored UFO prophecy.
Doomsday rumors have prompted some people across Russia to stock up on candles, water, canned foods and other non-perishable foods. The apocalypse has proven a good business, with some shops selling survival aid packages that include soap and vodka.
In Moscow, salvation has also been promised in the underground bunker for former Soviet leader Josef Stalin - with a 50 percent refund if nothing happened. An underground stay was originally priced at 50,000 rubles (US$1,625) but dropped to 15,000 rubles a week ahead of the feared end.
The bunker, located 65 meters below ground, was designed to withstand a nuclear attack. Now home to a small museum, it has an independent electricity supply, water and food - but no more room, because the museum had already sold out all 1,000 tickets.
Hundreds of people converged on Stonehenge for an "End of the World" party that coincides with the Winter Solstice. Arthur Uther Pendragon, Britain's best-known druid, said he was anticipating a much larger crowd than usual at Stonehenge this year.
Meanwhile, end-of-days parties were held across London yesterday. One event billed as a "last supper club" offered a three-course meal served inside an "ark."
Some Serbs said the place was Mount Rtanj, a pyramid-shaped peak in Serbia.
According to legend, the mountain once swallowed an evil sorcerer who would be released on the doomsday in a ball of fire that would hit the mountaintop.
The inside of the mountain would then open up, becoming a safe place to hide as the sorcerer went on to destroy the rest of the world. In the meantime, some old coal mine shafts were opened up as safe rooms.
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