Where are many fleeing to?
Bugarach, a village in France with a population of only 200, is apparently where you will be safe if doomsday strikes on December 21.
So if you are among those who think that the world will end on that day, then this is where you should head to. According to a Mayan prophesy — whose long-count calendar stops on December 21, 2012, thus sparking end-of-the-world rumours — there is a mention of a safe haven in France which has been identified by New Age believers as Bugarach.
Conspiracy theorists believe that aliens have set up base here and will whisk everyone in the village away from earth at the onset of apocalypse.
Dr Diana Monteiro, counselling psychologist in USA says she has had many clients speaking fearfully about the “end of the world”. “All of us need this safe space. But for most people going all the way to France isn’t do-able. This is the case with most fears. There are no physical safe havens for all our troubles so all we can do is reach out to a psychological space,” says the psychologist.
“When the person begins to accept a theory like this, it brings in super anxiety and, on the other hand, there is denial. But even with denial, there is always a fraction of fear lurking around in the mind.”
But denial is the way many can only afford to take with flight tickets that cost you as much as $1,500. And the travel agents report no spike in interest to fly to France at least from Indian cities.
Psychologically, Indians are hardwired to handle these theories better. Take Venkat K.C, a club manager for instance. He says, “I don’t really care about the apocalypse. Death is unavoidable, and if it is the end of the world, so be it.”
In a few other countries that have internal troubles as well, apocalypse is the last thing on their mind. Nir Refuah, an Israeli artist with a fascination for India, tells us, “Israel doesn’t care much about the apocalypse, its bad enough as it is now.”
The theory goes to state the Pic de Bugarach is an “alien garage” where extra-terrestrials are waiting for the world to end.
Meanwhile, Professor Arun John points out the irony in this apparent safe haven. “If it is the end of the world as we know it, how can there be a place that is immune?”
According to French media reports, the authorities have decided to block access to the mountain and any underground pathways between December 19-23.
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