The more pessimistic Venetian residents say the countdown has begun and that if the exodus continues at this rhythm, in 2030 Venice will have become a ghost city with no more citizens, just hordes of tourists.
VOA: standard.2009.10.27
Mr Hussein will find that he has little room to wriggle now that the countdownhasbegun.
And though our crystal ball is rather foggy, we can say this for sure: If an end-of-days countdownhasbegun, then this week's escape is your best last chance to explore the cradle of Mayan civilization.