According to a slightly stupid interpretation of the Mayan calendar, tomorrow is the end of the world. You’ve probably heard.
A few people here in Tarapoto seem genuinely concerned about this potentially life-ending event. Not like running-around-screaming-and-saying-goodbye concerned, but concerned enough to ask — in a slightly concerned kind of way — if other people think the world will end on December 21, 2012.
Anyway, just in case the world does end tomorrow, I’d like to say thanks for reading and I hope you’ve all enjoyed your lives. I’m fairly happy with my 34 years on this little planet, but I would have liked to have seen England win the World Cup. Oh well.
If you are reading this tomorrow and the world hasn’t ended or undergone a significant change, then congratulations. Actually, maybe save the congratulations until Saturday afternoon, as I’m not sure about the exact time of the global cataclysm.
Thanks. And goodbye. Just in case…

Tarapoto on the eve of the end of the world.
Thanks for the heartfelt comments, Tony. Its been very enjoyable reading about Tarapoto through your blog, and I’d like to send to you my own personal thanks for that. But not to worry, I’m not the least bit superstitious and I’d be willing to bet a million dollars that we have absolutely nothing to worry about from that Mayan prediction. At 34, you still have plenty of more years to look forward to. Enjoy them. It’s amazing how quickly time passes by.
Thanks Vince! Betting against the end of the world must be one of the best bets you could ever make, so I’d also be happy to bet a million dollars.
These end of the world prophecies always make me laugh (I must have lived through at least four of them). Before the last few days, I’d never met anyone who actually worried about one, but I’ve spoken to a few people here in Tarapoto who did seem genuinely concerned, even if only slightly.
Back in the UK, end of the world prophecies are just a big excuse for a party (then back to work the next day with a hangover, wishing the world had actually ended!).
A
Well, we are still here. I think I will have to come and visit and celebrate 1, your 34th Birthday, 2, the world not ending , 3, Christmas, 4, New Year and 5, being in tarapoto again. It has been too long! Have plenty of beer on ice on the 18th of January. Let’s BBQ and drink beer.
Dot and Herb
Sounds like a good plan to me….
Two weeks to go!
Herb
Hey Tony – You say that the Dec 21 2012 date came from a “slightly stupid interpretation of the Mayan calendar.” What date do you get when you interpret the Mayan calendar more intelligently? If you let me know I’ll make sure to note it in my Day Timer.
Just kidding! I don’t actually believe that Mayan calendar stuff. We all know that a US government-sponsored zombie apocalypse is going to happen way before anything the Mayans predicted.