Does it look Slovenian or is graffiti just graffiti no matter where you go, a sort of universal graphic language? In various European countries I've noticed that much of the graffiti is in English often a mixture of English and the local language.

Where did graffiti originate? Or perhaps what I really mean (given all the ways people throughout history have scratched out images in public spaces) where did the modern, urban, illegal, spray paint, property damage version of graffiti originate? In the U.S. perhaps? Then does English signify authenticity?

The best youth hostel I've ever been to was in Ljubljana, Slovenia in a former military prison. Some time ago artist/squatters took over a building in the area and converted it into a squatters camp/art space. Hip clubs and music spaces followed. Then some city officials decided to build a youth hostel next door to boost tourism (from the listings in my guidebook it was clear that Ljubljana was in need of some better year-round budget accomodations). Placing the youth hostel next to the squatters camp made things seem a little bit edgy and unsafe in an appealing way, what with the illegal housing arrangements, graffiti on every available wall, and an overturned, gutted car near the parking lot.

Local artists helped to design a fantastic youth hostel. There was live music playing when we walked in the door and a gallery opening in one of the rooms with free wine and appetizers.

Flyers for local events were laid out in the reception area. Among the upcoming events was a hip-looking digital design conferences and a "politically incorrect" film festival.

Unfortunately, we had to take an early morning train to Budapest and didn't actually get to see anything of Ljubljana outside of the youth hostel and the squatters camp next door, but we (my sister and I) were very impressed.

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