Parties Rage On As Many Make Light Of Mayan Doomsday Predicitons

Picture taken December 20, 2012 in the French southwestern village of Bugarach of 1,231 meter high peak of Bugarach – one of the few places on Earth some believe will be spared when the world allegedly ends according to claims regarding the ancient Mayan calendar. French authorities have pleaded with New Age fanatics, sightseers and media crews not to converge on the tiny village. AFP

(CBSNewYork) — Hollywood has been portraying the end of the world on-screen for decades, and now we are only hours away from the real-life doomsday that was predicted by the Mayans.

But as the hours pass, predictions of doom and gloom fade, and parties increase.

People from around the world are flocking to Southern Mexico, ahead of the December 21, 2012 doomsday date.

Crowds are surrounding the Chichen Itza and the Mayan ruins, but interpretations of the doomsday calculation vary. Mayans believe that the calendar signaled December 21 as the end of one era, and December 22 as the beginning of a new one.

“We say, some people believe it’s the end of the world. We believe and the Mayans believe, it’s the beginning of a new era,” explained former Mexican Tourism Minister Gloria Guevara.

Along with the doomsday prophecy are predictions that certain parts of the world will survive. Residents of a mountain village in France believe that the Peak of Bugarch will protect them. It is also believed that the village of Sirince in Turkey has the ability to stave off the apocalypse, CBS 2′s Kristine Johnson reported.

There is also money to be made. Some property owners have listed their homes for nearly double the previous sales price.

“This kind of opportunity doesn’t come always, all the time. So we are ready to get this chance,” explained Ali Gulumser, a Turkish businessman.

Most, however, are not taking the doomsday prediction seriously.

“On December 21, all of our guests stay for free. In addition it’s my birthday on the 21st of December,” said hotel owner Sevan Nisanan.

Star gazers in Mexico plan to welcome the new era with a ceremony at a Mayan pyramid.