On a recent visit to Istanbul, I discovered the lovely tradition of nargile: the Turkish waterpipe.
You sit in a cafe, or in our case, on the roof of a cafe, and the nice man brings you a hookah. It's tall, with an etched-glass bowl and a tin enclosure about the size of a coffee can on top (this is a nice example). The coffee can contains a tiny tin of tobacco and a few pieces of burning charcoal. The tobacco has been soaked in apple juice, and smells delicious.
When you inhale it burbles like a bong, but the smoke is smooth and sweet-tasting. There's no nicotine buzz that I can discern - a purely aesthetic experience.
Friend of Leisure DQ enjoys his smoke with a mosque in the background.
Evie, our hostess in Istanbul, indulges.
Agent Courtney attempts to blow a smoke ring as hostess Evie looks on.
The pleasure of this experience will run you about 4,000,000 Turkish lira, or $2.50.
Ooooooooh, tesekkurler, Mr. Waiter Man. Tesekkurler very much.
Excellent find, Agent! Those Ottomans (Ottos?) really knew how to kick back. Except for the empire-building. Luckily, we can now take advantage of their discoveries without all the carnage.
For some reason, I cannot see your second picture. How's it working for others?
Posted by: Hilatron on March 10, 2003 05:56 PMNever mind...they are all working fine now.
Posted by: Hilatron on March 11, 2003 06:24 PMBlimey, I don't look nearly as leisurely in that picture as I felt. It is clear however that I would make a mighty cute clarinet player.
Posted by: Evie on March 12, 2003 05:18 AM