Hello! I know some of you have seen me around, but I’d like to take the chance to introduce myself.

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I am a newer member of AST, who not very long ago had context blinders removed, revealing what software testing can be. I’ll never go back to prescriptive process!

Because I love an adventure, the AST Board asked me to fly to Vancouver check out the venue for CAST 2016, and take some pictures. This will be my first CAST, and I cannot wait to meet the people I’ve followed and read. I am really looking forward to meeting some of my heroes in Vancouver!

I arrived at YVR (Vancouver’s main airport) in early evening. I had an easy trip through Immigration. It’s pretty easy to get through this part of travel, as long as you’ve planned ahead. Then, I took a 25 minute train ride from the airport to the end of the Canada Line at Waterfront Station. One and half blocks east of there, I checked into the Delta Vancouver Suites, the recommended CAST hotel.

After a quick late night bite, I returned to my hotel to plan my visit the next day to Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre Campus. Never miss a chance to have a Coffee Crisp when you visit Canada!

A bedtime chocolate and planning for tomorrow #coffeecrisp #canadaonly

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In the morning, I crossed the street – yes, it’s that close – and checked out the venue.

Right across the street from the Delta Vancouver Suites #tinatoucan #cast2016 #shortcommuteftw #runninglate

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SFU Harbour Centre is a satellite campus of Simon Fraser University. The conference rooms are all close together, on the main level of the facility.

SFU_Concourse

I started with the main room for the keynote. It was very nice. I tried out a front-row seat, and claimed it for August. Seriously guys, it’s mine.

Saved my spot for the keynote #tinatoucan #cast2016 #nicholascarr #upfront

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I started thinking about what it must be like to speak in the theatre, so I went up on the stage to see what it felt like.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEcpNUUCyiw/

On second thought, a capacity of 200 is pretty intimidating. Maybe I should talk with Speak Easy about Toucan Under-Representation in conference speaking.

Theatre_From_Lectern

I looked in on a couple of the track session rooms next.

Don't call on me. I can't write with chalk without squealing #cast2016 #tinatoucan #screeching #canteven

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It’s good to have the essentials nearby.

Keep your water bottle full, and your breaks frequent #tinatoucan #cast2016 #stayhydrated #nightbefore

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The Board was happy to hear my updates, but asked me to get more pictures.

Lots of places to sit and recharge #tinatoucan #cast2016 #100% #hallwayconvo #introvertsunite

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I took a quick peek in the dining room. It looks nice enough – but the view!

Dining_Room

The main venue looks pretty great. But I wasn’t done yet. I needed to go check out the TestRetreat location next.

Walk_To_TestRetreat

Just a short walk down Granville Street is the Best Western Plus Chateau Grandville, the venue for TestRetreat.

Test_Retreat_Main_Room

One of the three secondary rooms for breakouts:

Test_Retreat_Extra_Room

Looks solid enough. After my grueling day, it was time for a break.

#happiesthour #tinatoucan #cast2016 #cheese #wino #livermousse #pickleanything

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My work done, it was time to see a few more things in Vancouver before I left.

Vancouver's Coal Harbor #cast2016 #tourism #mountains #beautiful #tinatoucan #allthefilterstho

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So gorgeous here #nofiltersneeded #cast2016 #tinatoucan #beautiful #harbour #mountains

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Required #steamclock #gastown #tinatoucan #cast2016 #tourism #passport

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Very diverse here #bestcoastwestcoast #roar #tinatoucan #cast2016

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Minecraft Whale #8bitart #cast2016 #harbourside #tinatoucan #publicart

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Enjoy the view #publicart #olympictorch #tinatoucan #cast2016 #harbourside

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Time for dinner. Poutine is amazing in general, but I wanted to be selective. You can’t have all of the poutine, or at least you shouldn’t! I briefly considered, but didn’t stop in here:

magic_poutine

Instead, I stopped at one of the dozens of craft beer spots in Vancouver. It definitely worked out.

Needed break. #ormaybejustabreak #poutine #flight #craftbeer #harbourside #tinatoucan #cast2016 #tapandbarrel

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Then it was back on the train to the airport. Kind of bummed to leave, but I am excited to be coming back in August. Hope to see you there!

The train back to YVR #cast2016 #tinatoucan #toosoon #backsoonplease #august #inmy♥️

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