☼Last week an elite group of economists and politicians met in the Kempinski Barbaros Bay Hotel at a round table discussion of “The Future of the European Union” and related subjects. Among the distinguished participants were Mr. Kemal Derviş, Director of the United Nations Development Program, and Mr. Pascal Lamy, Director General of the World Trade Organization. Bodrum learned of the meeting only when Mr. Derviş appeared on NTV television in a 30-minute interview. The participants later did appear in public, at a restaurant and walking about on the famous “Bar Street”, but we still have not been able to find out the substance of the discussions. Security considerations for such a galaxy of VIPs are understandable but isn’t it the right of the public to know what is being debated when it concerns the common good?

☺A team of TV producers from California, USA, has arrived in Bodrum to create a film in the cycle “Cities of the Underworld” for the History Channel (logo in inset). The Bodrum Castle’s dungeon and other subterranean locations, as well as the underground passages and the burial chamber of the Mausoleum, are projected to be the prime subjects. In addition, the team has an interest in coastal caves where pirates might have sought refuge or used as hideaways. Though it seems that for Bodrum the “Underworld” cachet is a bit far-fetched, the publicity for the town can’t hurt…

▲The 20^th Annual Bodrum Cup Wooden Yacht Regatta takes place between 22 and 26 October, 2008. Started in 1989, the Bodrum Cup Regatta has contributed greatly to the development of sailing skills among the crews of traditional Bodrum ‘gulets’, ‘tirhandils’ and transom stern yachts known as ‘ayna kıç’ (loosely translated as ‘mirror arse’). Looking at the competing yachts it is hard to imagine that 20 years ago it was a cause for celebration and applause when a local wooden boat hoisted sail – this was usually done to provide a photo-op for the tourists. We wish fair winds to all participants!!