Worldly Shisha

[jtemes]

Heyall,
it's been a while due to the fact that I've been traveling for the past 4 months. I though I'd share my shisha experiences with you.

I traveled through Eastern Europe (Czech, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria) for about 6 weeks and then spent about 2 months in the Middle East (Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt).

Eastern Europe.
You may not imagine Eastern Europe having good shisha but I had some of the best bowls I've ever had during my stay. Especially in Czech, Slovakia and Hungary. They had "tea houses" in almost every town I went to, including small towns. The best were in towns with large student populations such as Olomouc (CZ) Banska Stiavnica (SLO) and Budapest (HU). They were always very atmospheric, nice crowd, knowledgeable staff, great shisha, and excellent tea. It usually cost me anywhere from $3-$6 including tea. My most memorable was in Olomouc (beautiful town by the way) where I smoked almost every day I was there, and they'd recommend excellent mixes such as my favorite Cardamom Apple. Along with a Moroccan mint tea, it couldn't be beat.

Middle East.
The problem with the Middle East is there are soo many different places to choose from it's near impossible to pick one. In Turkey they smoke very flavorful shisha where as in the other 3 countries they like it a lot stronger. They have so many different methods of setting up bowls I couldn't keep up. In Syria often they would just poke one big hole right through the center of the tin foil and into the center hole. That seemed to work quite well. In Egypt they would often have tiny bowls for about 20 cents each but they would replace it every 15-20 minutes. I never payed more than a dollar for a bowl in Syria and Egypt, Turkey and Jordan were both way more expensive, though by American standards still reasonable. The best bowl I had was in Istanbul, Turkey. If anybody is going there just go directly across the street from the Sultanahmet tram stop and to the top floor of Hotel Petrol. You have a beautiful view of the Blue Mosque and Mr Oktay will make sure you're bowl is always smoking as perfect as he'd like it for himself.

Well I hope that was some what entertaining. I'll be back home by July, and still look forward to setting up my own bowl.

[Hannibal]

Thats awesome man!!!

I love traveling as well and Istanbul is actually one place that I was planning to go to next, I really love the history behind the city. I'll be sure to check that cafe out if I do end up going. Have fun.....for all of us!

[tingjunkie]

Nice post! Any pics to go along? Sounds like a great trip.

[hookah hippie]

Sounds like you had quite the trip I wouldn't mind a vacation ... if only I had money

[PersianPride]

You missed out Iran. tsk tsk.

[jtemes]

i couldnt get a visa for Iran! i was soo pissed. o well, just gives me another excuse for a big vacation.