Should I start with prison or wine? A spontaneous suggestion from a new friend was interesting enough to get me out of my comfort zone and go to another country just to taste wine. I am not an expert in the field, but who cares? The plan got more interesting when we decided to spend a night in a former prison so we could attend an Afrobeats party at night. I really didn’t know what to expect, but I was looking forward to the whole experience; good or bad. The train ride from Austria to Slovenia, whose capital Ljubljana was the destiny, took slightly over an hour and a half. The landscape featured rocky mountains with tall trees, sometimes flat land, but green. There were fascinating deep emerald rivers along the way too. Is that what paradise would look like? Not exactly; the weather gives it away. A few minutes from the train station was the former prison, Hostel Celica. It is located in Metelkova, an area that was originally a military barracks built in the late 19th century for the Austro-Hungarian army, before becoming the headquarters and prison of the Yugoslav People's Army after the Second World War. After the Slovenian army defeated the Yugoslav People’s Army for independence in 1991, the barracks and prison were left abandoned and empty. To prevent their demolition, different artists and their supporters protested and eventually succeeded in making it a multicultural center. The first travelers stayed there in July 2003. One can already tell they are in the vicinity because of the colorful graffiti and street art. When we arrived there to check in at around 2:30 PM, I was mostly fascinated by how peaceful it was, yet so party-like at the same time. A few young people were playing basketball, giving the impression that this was a youth hub. We had booked the dormitory with 12 beds, and I was scared at first. I couldn’t have imagined myself spending a night with multiple strangers, bed-to-bed, in a foreign country, in a former prison, name it. But the moment we entered the hostel, it already felt like a safe space. The reception team was exceptionally warm. What stood out the most was the colors outside the hostel, and the entrance staircase to the former solitary prison cells in the basement. I was too afraid to enter, but only because it looked real, despite being decorated. In the evening, there were going to be many young people just talking, some even working. Every part of this hostel was a piece of art, yet its dark past still lingers. The wine festival When we reached the wine festival, which was not a short walk from the hostel, the street was already full of thousands of people. We had to wait in line to buy coupons, which were the only way to get a drink. Additional to this was a souvenir glass and a bag. We only had about two hours because the festival was closing at 5:00 PM. The Ljubljana Wine Route, which takes place in the streets and squares of the old city centre of Ljubljana was happening for the 39th time. The previous version of it happened in the summer, and more than 5,000 people attended. In November, there were more than 400 samples of wine from across Slovenia to taste. My first glass was meh. However, please take into consideration that I am a sweet tooth wine drinker and this was rosé. Also, it got me drunk quite faster than expected. As I waited to gain my sobriety to try another, I toured through the route, which was not easy because it was packed. But the old buildings with a river, Ljubljanica, passing through are a highly recommended view. There were also huts where people could grab bites to enjoy Slovenian traditional dishes. Another memory is how cold it was. My fingers hurt from the freezing temperatures, and my ears too. The second glass was very smooth, with an extended aftertaste. I loved it. I was sipping slowly as we headed back to the hostel after 5:00 PM to get ready for an unforgettable night- at least in my expectations. Clubbing Well, unlike in Kigali where you can hang out at the club from as early as 7:00 PM, Club Cvetličarna was closed until party time- 11:00 PM. There was an Afrobeats party hosted by AfroFever Slovenia, which is reportedly the biggest in that discipline. Waiting for time to leave the hostel was torture. It started feeling like a mistake to have put such a late-night event on the itinerary. Sleep was one thing, worthy enough to cancel clubbing, but we were also supposed to walk 30 minutes to the venue. Things we have to go through to have fun! By the time we reached the club, my back hurt already, but I was too hyped to care. People were happy, the music was good; can it get better? Think of all the popular Afrobeats songs- they were played and everyone sang along. On top of this, the black community really pulled up- as expected. I felt at home. After about two hours, I had done what had to be done. Also, thinking about the half-hour walk back to the hostel, it was wise for me to leave. I slept like a baby, knowing that was a day well-spent. The morning was quiet but the marathon to get ready before checkout is always expected. Definitely worth it. A day and night in Ljubljana may not be ideal to explore the city’s beauty. I didn't get to see the castle, not a museum or gallery, and perhaps nature itself. A guided tour of the hostel could have been a good idea too. Nevertheless, it was time well-spent. Definitely visiting again.