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  PHP Conference in Montreal
 
2008-03-12

I graduated from university here in Montreal nearly 15 years ago, and hadn't been back to the city since. I was glad for the chance to attend PHP Québec and give a couple of talks at the annual conference. I was doubly glad for all the snow and general winter-y fun that was to abound.

The talks went well, and I met a bunch of extremely friendly and interesting people, hopefully starting some new friendships. I also got to eat some wonderful food, stay in a very nice hotel, and otherwise re-explore the city. It was, oddly enough, reeling under near-record levels of snowfall, with the whole place under at least a metre of snow (3'), and most of the roads and sidewalks still fully covered in snow.

I had planned to spend my last full day walking around exploring, but was struck down by a surprisingly nasty flu, and instead just managed to do a little shopping. Next year, hopefully!!
[Click on any photo for a larger view]
I was simply loving all the snow, despite my clothing not being quite 100% appropriate for such harsh winter conditions.
We were in a nice neighbourhood off Rue Sherbrooke, extremely close to McGill University.
Lots of nice modern condos and the like near here.
Uh, my bed. I don't know why I take these photos.
The same city at night.
Here are some great shots up towards Mount Royal and the McGill Biology Department right in front.
I managed to make a really nice panorama from my room. Awesome.
One of our first dinners was in a little restaurant with traditional French food. It was spectacular.
I even remember some of these people's names!
Stefan and Marc!
Anna dutifully posing!
Okay, I'll pose too. It's cold, so I'm still wearing my scarf indoors. I'm also right next to the door.
It started snowing outside again.
Our next meal came at some medieval traditional fair place in Vieux Montreal, and was quite a loud and ... uh ... medieval affair.
Everything was preceeded by lots of shouting and dancing.
Derick was being a good sport of it and taking lots of photos.
I was starting to plague pretty hard by this time and was fading quickly.
No medieval type setting would be complete without a tonne of beer.
 
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