*A public relations blurb has appeared in several of the local media announcing the leasing of Karaada by a private enterprise named Kara Ada Sanat Akademisi A.S. The honeyed words of this advertorial promise such a paradise, without snakes or any other creepy crawlies, that the whole undertaking becomes more than a bit suspicious. While silly opposition to any project that may be beneficial to Bodrum is certainly not our intent, experience with some previous attempts to despoil the island under a cloak of benevolence dictates caution. If 50 thousand square meters (5 hectares, or about 12.35 acres) of the island is being “rented” by a private firm that promises to re-light the fires started by the ’68 generation in Woodstock, to create an open-air library, cinema, streets along which philosophical discussions will be held, and much more without any new building, we should be forgiven for viewing it with a solid dose of skepticism. Several ancient sayings come to mind; one, “beware of Greeks bearing gifts”, harks all the way back to the Trojan Wars. The Turks say that someone scalded by hot milk will blow breaths to cool ayran. Reading the announcement saying that all of Bodrum’s small businesses will be welcomed to ply their trade provided they do not build any structures (yapilasma olmamak kaydiyla), leaves little doubt that if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
**Meeting last weekend on the premises of the Bodrum Chamber of Commerce, participants in the conference given by members of AKUT, the Turkish Search & Rescue team, decided to organize a local unit which we’ve called “Bodrum Arama Kurtarma” or BAKUT. The national team, led by Nasuh Mahruki, will assist in the organization and hopefully in the training necessary to make such a unit effective. Since Bodrum is located in an earthquake-prone region and may be exposed to natural or man-made disasters like hurricane force winds or fires, a well-prepared S&R team is to be welcomed with open arms. We hope that the organization of subordinate teams located in all of Bodrum’s municipalities will follow.
***We have learned that a Bodrum Wind blew in the Eastern Mediterranean Tourism & Travel Fair held in Istanbul where the Bodrum region was represented by two stands, one promoting the whole peninsula under the auspices of BOYTAV, and the other advertising Bitez, Turgutreis, Yalikavak and Gundogan municipalities. The announcement of this event names all of the dignitaries, including local mayors, who attended, and says that two Bodrum students demonstrated the local Cokertme and other folk dances. What the communication does not say is who was the target audience of this escapade, so we’re left to wander how effective this enterprise will be in attracting new visitors. After all, there can’t be very many Turks or people living in Turkey who are not very, very aware of Bodrum as a vivacious vacation venue. However, hope springs eternal.
