The Various End-of-the-World "Survival Kits"

"Ends of the world" come and go, and even if the promised 21 December 2012 does not deliver, the wise experts on this subject already have the next dates in mind. Unlike all previous prophecies of the world's demise, this one at some point acquired a "light" version - namely, that the world might not actually be destroyed, but darkness would descend. The darkness theme, admittedly, has several interpretations. The most terrifying is that a darkness would set in such that not the smallest ray of light could squeeze through, lasting either a month, three days, or just two hours. The more modern interpretation - and, one must admit, a far more plausible one - is that electricity would disappear for a few hours. All over the world simultaneously, of course.

The "light" version of the end of the world also has a somewhat speculative character, as some have started building shelters (ranging from underground bunkers to Noah's Arks), while others have approached the matter more pragmatically and prepared survival kits, known as "Survival Kits".

The trick is that these "Survival Kits" differ somewhat from country to country.

For example, in Russia, in Tomsk, you can obtain a survival kit consisting of:

1. soap,
2. rope,
3. buckwheat,
4. a bottle of spirits,
5. medicines,
6. sprats,
7. candles,
8. matches,
9. a notebook for notes.

In Mexico, the survival kit includes:

1. matches,
2. a special knife for opening tins and repelling zombies,
3. chocolate,
4. a notebook for notes or, if necessary, for starting a fire,
5. a litre bottle of water,
6. a small bottle of pineapple liqueur, produced on the Yucatan Peninsula and considered the authentic Mayan drink.

In Latvia, a kit named VALDO has been prepared for those awaiting the end of the world. It is not available in major retail chains, but is distributed through group-buying portals. The kit consists of:

1. salt,
2. rice,
3. millet,
4. oat flakes,
5. matches,
6. drinking water,
7. tinned fish,
8. meat pâté (to suit all tastes: pork, goose, and poultry).

In addition, more active purchasing of candles, matches, and tinned goods has been observed in Russia and Latvia's eastern regions.

As can be seen, different countries have each approached this important matter in their own way, according to their understanding of how the end of the world will actually unfold. For example, the Russian kit indirectly contains ingredients intended for "Plan B", while the Mexican kit places the emphasis on the special knife. By contrast, the Latvian kit is oriented towards eating and waiting. If you want to be completely prepared, it would be advisable to obtain the ingredients from all the kits in good time. After all, even if the end of the world never comes, there will be something to show the grandchildren as a monument to human foolishness.