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MAPLE LEAVES IN THE DESERT

A cold autumn afternoon, strolling on a sidewalk full of fallen maple leaves of brilliant red and orange hues, exhilarated by the crunching sounds of crisp dried leaves, waving to the next door neighbour raking leaves on the lawn.

These are just a few nostalgic images found in many Canadian minds in Dubai. As with most minority ex-patriots living outside of their homeland, the idea of coming together and sharing the nostalgia is a natural reflex and consequently the Club for Canadians came into existence.

Since its inception, in the early 1990's, CFC has successfully organised many social events promoting Canadian art and culture. In addition to the annual Canada Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, the Club participates in the annual Dubai Terry Fox Run, held in February. The event always starts at Wonderland Park and this year had over 11,000 people running, walking, rollerblading and biking their way to raise money for cancer research.

In the past the traditional Thanksgiving gathering, complete with a delicious turkey dinner, was held at the Hyatt Regency where ice skating was also offered as a pre-dinner family activity. Last year it was celebrated at the newly opened Fairmont Dubai, partly to support the new Canadian enterprise. Christmas has been celebrated at the Metropolitan Beach Hotel for the past few years, where Santa arrives on a camel with a sack full of gifts in a magnificent sunset backdrop. And as usual dinner is followed by a good session of dancing.

For those souls brave enough to remain in Dubai for the summer there is the annual Canada Party held on July 1. Festivities include dancing, partying and wearing silly hats and t-shirts.

A popular activity organised by the Club is the periodic trips to various locations in the region. A successful Musandam Dhow trip was organised just last January. Prior to that, the Club enjoyed a visit to the Liwa Oasis Hotel and in February the group spent a weekend at the beautiful Danat Resort and visited Sir Bani Yas Island, 250 km south of Abu Dhabi.

Another favourite activity is the monthly Coffee Mornings where presentations are given by various speakers while members meet each other and enjoy coffee and refreshments.

This year Canada Week (February 1-6) showcased Canadian sport, art and culture to the Dubai community, with all proceeds donated to the Afghan Children Fund in Kabul and to the Tsunami Victims. Many thanks must go to the Canadian Business Council for spearheading organising this event. The Club for Canadians enjoyed working with the Canadian Business Council and the two hockey teams in town, the Dubai Mighty Camels and the Desert Sand Storms.

"When I first arrived in Dubai I looked for other expatriates with families to help become acclimatised with the new environment. I discovered the Club for Canadians and now as the president I want to offer newcomers to Dubai a place to meet, to exchange ideas and useful information with other. We are an open group and welcome other expatriates who are looking to socialise", says Jacque Morin, president of the Club.

The committee head, Debbie, can be reached at 050 4508352.