  In this essay we discuss the difference in views of the Universe as seen by
two different observers. While one of the observers follows a geodesic
congruence defined by the geometry of the cosmological model, the other
observer follows the fluid flow lines of a perfect fluid with a linear equation
of state. We point out that the information these observers collect regarding
the state of the Universe can be radically different; while one observes a
non-inflating ever-expanding ever-lasting universe, the other observer can
experience a dynamical behaviour reminiscent to that of quintessence or even
that of a phantom cosmology leading to a 'big rip' singularity within finite
time (but without the need for exotic forms of matter).
