Canadian Expatriates, its contributors, and readers have been invited by Foreign Affairs Canada to participate in a series of eDiscussions. The current topic is “Showcasing Canadian Culture and Know-How Abroad”.

We are asked to consider the following questions:

What role does Canadian culture and know-how play in our foreign policy?

How might the government best promote Canadian talent and expertise in the world?

The eDiscussion runs from April 4 to May 6, 2005. At its conclusion, a summary of the discussion will be sent to senior policy planners.

The Expat admin team encourages its readers to join in the eDiscussion at the Canadian International Policy website.

---

Posted by Admin

The administration team is currently searching for Canadian expatriates who would be interested in contributing to the Expat Blog. The subject matter is wide open, but must remain family friendly.

If you are interested in joining our blogging team, please send an email our way!

Thank you!

Growing up on the Canadian prairies, summers were hot and dry. You could walk outside and feel the heat upon you, but it didn't weigh on you. When the weather did get muggy, there was generally a storm on the way to provide a break in the weather and cool things down. Until a few years ago, that was the only kind of hot weather that I had ever known.

One of the best features of my car, known affectionately as the "Nukmobile" because of its metric tendencies or the "Puppy Hauler" because of its frequent trips to the dog park, is its heating and cooling systems. On a -30C day, my car can heat up in mere minutes, stopping one's teeth from chattering. Likewise on a 30C day, it can cool down in mere seconds, leaving one shivering. In fact, the air conditioner works so well, that a layer of frost will sometimes form on the dash, obscuring the numbers on the speedometer. As such, friends are well aware that a trip in the Nukmobile during the summer months generally requires a pair of socks with their sandals and even a sweater.

Sweater, shorts, socks, and sandals. That was my wardrobe when I stepped out of my car for the first time as we traveled from Saskatchewan down to the southern United States. We were in Missouri and it was hot. Not dry hot. Not hot hot. Wet hot. The kind of sticky heat that weighs on your skin, steals your breath, and makes you feel dirty.

There stood the Canadian dressed in what could well be considered the oxymoron of clothing, pumping gas and melting into the pavement in the Missouri heat.