"Python!"

If you decode to explore Python, try the Dive Into Python tutorial (http://diveintopython.org/) followed by the Django tutorial ( http://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/intro/tutorial01/) seeing as how you know php and two databases. Both are short and can be completely finished in a weekend of work.

Do let us know what you learned !Good Luck!

third that :), And I'd like to add 'using Django'. It's been a long time since I did anything in Python and I'm sort of re-learning it right now to build something in Django. Django is one way to get 'into' python, it is not the easiest way but you will have a new foundation to build stuff off by the end of your weekend.