People Are Pigs

Now that we are far enough from the "end of the world" to know it wasn't just a rounding error, it's time to look back at the havoc created by those trying to make a few bucks (or, in this case, quetzal) off of a delicate attraction.

Word from the site of Temple II at Tikal is that over 7,000 end-of-the-world revelers trashed the site, leaving permanent damage in their wake.

While there's no way to prove that organizers didn't try to stop the destruction, 7,000 people is a large group to try to stop...especially all tanked up, ready for some form of Mayan Rapture.

Someone should have known better. But most people are self-absorbed hedonists and the pursuit of quetzal is too intoxicating.

And, sadly, we are not surprised.

Thanks to Gadling for the catch and Mike Vondran for the image.

Comments

[Keith]

I happened to be at Tikal on the 24th of December and can report that there wasn't any noticeable damage of any kind.