Doomsday set for 21 December

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Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 13:57

Written by Joann Julius

The Mayan Calendar speaks of impending catastrophe and fortune-tellers of every sort are shouting that it will soon be the end of the world. Do you believe it and are you ready to go?

There have been enough movies gracing the big screen for you to get a vague sense of an apocalypse on the horizon. Will we all be washed away in a global tsunami, or will a planet-sized meteor destroy the world? One thing is for sure: just as there was a beginning, so too will there be an end. The million-dollar question, however, is “When?”.

The Mayan Long Count Calendar abruptly ends on 13.0.0.0, which, according to the Gregorian calendar, is the equivalent of December 21st, 2012. The hieroglyphs on an ancient stone tablet found in Mexico in the ‘60s say that in 2012, Bolon Yokte, the Mayan god of war and creation, will descend from the sky. Some speculate that this is a warning of some global disaster.

So what will you do if, on December 21st, the world does end? Are you going to stand and watch the world destroyed or will you be amongst the survivors who were smart enough to be prepared? Well, here follows some friendly advice of what you could do regardless of when it may be needed...

(1) Get comfortable with living in the great outdoors. The best survivor’s guide is your own experience, so go camping and spend time in a tent. Sleep on the ground and learn to navigate using the position of the sun and stars.

(2) Buy the basics. Invest in a thick fleecy coat, tent and sleeping bag. Also, get a backpack with solar panels to power up your rechargeable batteries, waterproof matches, a first-aid kit, wind-up radio, GPS, fishing line, and hooks. 

(3) Keep up your strength. Stock up on at least a two weeks’ worth of water in glass cooler jugs and non-perishable foods, such as dried fruit, vegetables, instant rice, noodles, canned beans and spices. And don’t forget your multi-vitamins and a good stash of biltong or droëwors. 

(4) Protect yourself. A long knife or machete is a great tool for clearing bush, setting up a makeshift shelter and defending yourself. It’s also great for cutting up whatever food you manage to catch. 

(5) Learn to adapt. Don’t expect to have access to power, petrol, or TV, or even (gasp!) Internet connectivity. You best get used to the idea of not having it around. Find other ways of entertaining yourself. Pack the Monopoly, snakes-and-ladders and chess set. 

(6) Finally, make peace with anyone you’ve wronged. The last thing you need is to waste time tracking down a buddy to whom you lied a few days earlier just so you have a clear conscience, rather than getting deep underground and into a shelter. Make the most of the time you have and be ready for anything. 

Whether or not the Mayan calendar is anything to go by and you believe the world is going to end on December 21st, it never hurts to be prepared. So take my advice: make sure your bags are packed and ready for anything this year.