Ljubjliana, Slovenia

It was wet walking around looking for a hostel, especially since the one I wanted to stay at was booked for the night. However, the receptionist at the Celica Hostel redirected me to Hotel Park, just down the street. I checked in to a four-person dorm to myself on the 14th floor with a great view. Very nice, I thought, now I can bring back guests, if I only I knew where to find them. There was nothing happening at Hotel Park so I planned on going back to Hostel Celica because there seemed like there were a lot of people around and I heard music and commotion out back. It turns out there was a swanky little squatter's community just behind Celica called Metalkova. In this bizarre complex I found a rock club, a DJ club and a bar, all run by squatters, not to mention tons of laid-back, cool people. The second I showed up I met a newly engaged couple from England, and with no Slovenian money, they were nice enough to buy me beer for the night. I stayed quite late chatting with them and making other new friends.

After Bled the next day I checked into Hostel Celica where I met a few cool Australian girls who fancied to drink with me. The night was fun hanging out with them and seeing a few bars before returning to the hostel to just chill. Hostel Celica is an old jail converted into a hostel with the cells remaining as some dorms. There was a great restaurant and bar as well as a few couch and pillow rooms where you could kick off your shoes and just relax. Waking up hung-over for the first time in a long time I had time before catching my train to Italy. I went to the center of town and took in the atmosphere along the river of a very cool community. Next I proceeded to climb the castle. If you haven't noticed yet, I try to go to the highest point at all my destinations. I got a great view of the city and the surrounding area before heading back to the hostel and boarding the train to Venice.

Overall, Ljubjiana had one of the best vibes in a city to date. It was quaint but beautiful and reminding me a little of Boston in the way it blended old with new so seemlessly. The people were great and the city was spotless-clean, definitely a jewel.