Wednesday, March 04, 2009

How Travel Will Help Me Survive in a Post-Apocalyptic World

My sister sent this to me the other day:
Are Violent Video Games Adequately Preparing Children For The Apocalypse?

and it made me think...hmmmm....how will I survive in the Post Apocalyptic World (PAW)? I am not a gamer and don't plan to start because hey, I already have enough things sucking up my rime. However, I *think* that my travel experiences might help. Well, I hope they help because I am TOAST otherwise

How travel will help me survive in a post-apocalyptic world

One: Learn to Blend. When I travel to Mexico or the Middle East, I wear longer skirts and make sure my shirts cover my shoulders. If needed, I cover my head or wear a hat. The point is, blending keeps me out of trouble and locals appreciate my attempt to belong.

As far as a post-apocalyptic world, learning to blend is a huge asset! If a zombie hoard is shuffling through town, it is not the best time to be all, "look at me, I don't have to conform". Sure, you can stay clean and keep your pride...in your GRAVE! Your best bet of survival is to smear your face with blood and dirt, shuffle, moan and try to look as if you belong. Zombies are not the brightest of the monsters and with a little effort, are easily duped.
Two: Pick good travel companions. During my current travels, I like to be with people who are adventurous and can handle staying in a "low end" hotel. If I am traveling to a more "sketchy" location, I don't hesitate to hire an armed guard. The point is, to plan ahead and align yourself with someone(s) who can help you survive in a PAW. I plan to team up with a group (safety in numbers) and if I can, here's what I want: survival expert (Les from Survivor man would be great!), soldier, farmer, and the best video gamer I could find!

Three: Be open to Cultural Differences. There is nothing worse than traveling abroad and being labeled an "ugly America". You know those people. They whine that the food tastes funny and people drive on the wrong side of the road and why can't they find someone who speaks English and blah blah blah. You know what I say to those people-Wah! Part of travel is to learn about other cultures. To soak them in and if not to celebrate the differences, then to respect them.

The same will have to be done in the PAW. Customs are going to change based on the fact that groups will shift and move. Mere survival will mean buddying up to whoever is left alive at the end of the day-no matter what country they are from. There might even be an influx of demons that end up integrating into human society. Granted, there are some cultural differences that would have to be nixed (human sacrifice comes to mind), but otherwise, we stand to learn a lot. And if we pay attention we might be able to use that knowledge to defeat the creatures that want us dead.

5 comments:

Cliff said...

One of my primary rules for surviving the Zombie Apocalypse works for the PAW as well as travelling about the globe: "Keep It Simple, Stupid."

The K.I.S.S. principle means that during the Zombie Apocalypse while everyone is scrounging for assault rifles and SUVs, I'll be perfectly content with a .22 rifle (lighter weapon and ammo), a crowbar (a multipurpose bludgeon and door opening tool), and a bicycle (powered by pancakes rather than petrol).

While traveling, the K.I.S.S. principle means that you pack light: couple of pairs of trousers, shirts, underwear, and socks and serviceable shoes, something to keep the sun off (like a hat), and a first aid kit.

It also means that you don't turn your entitled and sculpted American nose up at the simple little hole-in-the-wall places that probably serve better food than most hotel restaurants.

And you have to make an effort to speak the language. Only in America do we scorn people who make an effort to speak our language and do so poorly.

Cathy in AK said...

Knowledge is power, but a good weapon will do the trick against zombies ; )

I agree that the human race would have to do some serious setting aside of small-mindedness in a PAW. We should be doing that *now* but a major blow to our kind might be the only thing that will make us realize it.

I have neither gaming skills nor extensive travel experience, but I am low maintenance, can sleep almost anywhere and will eat just about anything, especially if I don't ask too many questions beforehand. And hell, living where I am now is *almost* like having to deal with a PAW ; )

Tracy Montoya said...

Bear Grylls! I saw that man drink his own urine and sleep inside a mothereffing dead camel, a la Luke Skywalker and the Tauntaun. Anyone who will drink his own urine is someone I want to hang with when the zombie horde hits town!

Sharron McClellan said...

Okay--you can all hang with me in the wasteland! And let's bring Bear....the human race as to go on so I'll jump on that grenade (as it were) ;-)

and we can make him test food.

Glennis said...

I am currently preparing myself for the inevitable post apocalyptic future by fighting off Zombie hordes in LEFT 4 DEAD every chance I get. Better safe than sorry.