This is how you say cheers in Slovenian...

Ljubljana has one of the world's few illegal artist communities.

It began years ago, when the army barracks were deserted, and squatters moved in. The majority of them were artists, and they began decorating the barracks and the old jail with incredible grafitti and sculptures. The area is called Metelkova, and most of the people who live there today are still doing so illegaly, but the government overlooks it. We spent a day out in Metelkova yesterday, and have some amazing photos of the artworks out there... but we can't upload them yet. Once we get to London we'll put them up!

We stopped to watch some grafitti artists the other night who were working on a wall across from a small bar playing Balkan music. We met some locals - a guy named Ali who is a chef, and an 'artist' who was nameless and very very very eccentric! We had some beers with them while they taught us the art of Balkan dancing, and a few things about Ljubljana and it's culture:

- you can trust everyone in Ljubljana. People don't lock up their bikes, they just leave them on the side of the street. "You shouldn't take bikes - but if you do need to use one, make sure you return it to the same spot with some beers in the basket"!

- never believe a Slovenian when they tell you how to say 'cheers' in their language. If they've been drinking, they'll think it is hilarious to teach you all sorts of rude phrases for you to shout out at each other while you chink glasses!!

- Ljubljana is the best located city in Europe. It's only 100kms to the snow lined alps, to the coastal beaches, and a short train trip to Italy, Croatia, Hungary or Austria.