Allston

Hey all,

It has been a million years since I posted. It seemed since school got out for the summer I haven't been much in the mood for writing. I work two jobs over the summer and I'm actually taking a bartending class which is really fun so far.

It's been a while since I smoked any hookah, actually. I went on a health kick and actually started exercising and stuff (weird) but I did got to a hookah bar the other night with a few friends to my favorite hookah bar in Boston. It's hard to find good ones in this area for some reason, but the Sheesha Lounge in Allston, just outside Boston is by far my favorite. The hookah is always great, they have awesome combos, and the environment is great. I always love the people working there. The first time I went, there was a projector screen with planet earth playing and techno in the background. I knew I had found my place. I revisited the other night and had the "Boston Blaze" mixture which was really tasty. My other fave there is Headbuzz which really makes u dizzy. But it's a cute, comfortable place that I always love visiting. Anyone in the Boston area should check it out. Some other hookah bars are good too, but they don't have the same friendly and fun environment.

That's all for now, just felt like adding a quick post! I'll have more later :)

Acclimating Tangiers

Yes, while continuing my procrastination to read about the Flu Pandemic. I will eventually get to that. Just, after dinner.

So I thought I would let you know, if you haven't looked it up already, about the process of acclimating Shisha. Mostly you only do it for Tangiers because it's so strong. Read the labels it comes with if you do go and buy it because they will also tell you to let it sit in the air for a while. And that's what 'acclimating' it is, leaving it to air for a few hours before using it.

I'm currently doing this with my Tangiers Guava flavor. What I normally do is leave it out by a window (so the smell isn't overwhelming in the room) in Tupperware for about three hours. It is necessary to do this with Tangiers, but not really for any other brands of tobacco. It doesn't hurt though, and keeping it separate from the box is always a good idea. The tobacco constantly leaks in those cardboard boxes. You can also store it in the fridge if you've held onto it for a long time.

I'm very happy my roommate hasn't complained about the Guava yet, and that she's not an anti-smoking advocate or anything.

New Stuff!

My Hookah paraphenelia finally came. It turns out college doesn't accept packages Saturday, Sunday, and this week Monday. Great order planning on my part.
What I got:
Three packages of Romman tobacco

• Lemon Mint
• Nectarine
• Good Times

I also got Tangiers Guava flavor, which I've tried before and I love. Guava is an old favorite. I first tried it at Mr. Beans in Nagpur. I've also had it with rum in the base which is delicious.
I got a couple mystery flavors too that were on clearance at Hookah-Shisha.com. They're Al Waha plum and "memories" Al Waha is usually okay, they're just my backup flavors.

I was happy to be able to throw out my Hookah Hookah brand CRAP today. If you appreciate hookah and smoking, don't smoke Hookah Hookah brand, their shisha is the worst on the market. Don't be tempted by the millions of enticing flavors. None of them are worthwhile. When I was new to shisha, I would try them because they're free, but they all are just awful. anyway.

I also got a Mya hose. Check it out:


And lastly,
I have a new bowl. A very large phunnel bowl that I'm dying to use. It holds 35-45 grams of Shisha. It'll be much better when using Tangiers. I used to just use my Egyptian bowl, but it holds so little, it's really a waste of tobacco. I'll review that as well later.

Clearly I have a red theme going on here....

I lied. I also bought some Coco Nara coals, but they're not too exciting.

So I'll be putting up all my reviews within the week, probably some tonight. (If I get to my homework. :)

Coffee and Hookah

So, I am new to the Ithaca region, and discovered Saturday the amazing grocery store: Wegman's. I've been hearing everyone talk about Wegman's for the past few months and I knew it was time to check it out for myself. I was expecting something similar to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, but Wegman's is the Market Basket of people who care about their health. I was thrilled walking around this store, especially in the coffee section. I bought Chocolate Raspberry coffee, Orange, and some Las Lajas Medium coffee. The amount of coffee I drank prior to Wegman's doesn't compare to the amount I now drank. I also acquired a coffee maker on sale. I don't think it meets the dorm requirements for "safe" coffeemakers, but I don't really care. This leads me to my coffee and hookah post. While in town I also purchased some new Shisha. I hear lots of people talk about Starbuzz and I also know they use it in most Hookah Bars/Lounges, but until Saturday I hadn't tried it.

My friend and I bought some Starbuzz Code 69. I have to say the flavor was delicious. It has a very subtle fruit taste. You get hints of different fruits every time. The flavor also lasted a long time and once it was heated it kept going. I just used quicklights since my package with natural coals hasn't come yet. Overall I would say it was great, the only thing that would turn me away from it was the intense buzz I got. I have to admit I may have smoked a little TOO much in a short period of time, but it has been a long time since I've been that buzzed out. I nearly blacked out after going up a few flights of stairs. I was a little concerned, but it didn't ruin my hookah experience completely. I would just suggest taking it easy with Starbuzz.

So my combination recommendation: Starbuzz Code 69 with a hot cup of Wegman's Chocolate Raspberry coffee (with amaretto creamer) is absolutely delcious.

Something strange I also tried this weekend?
Starbuzz Pink with MILK in the base. I've heard of milk in the base before, but I never thought I'd try it. Certainly not in my hookah because I wouldn't feel like cleaning it up. My friend, however, happened to be smoking it outside his dorm so I tried it. Surprisingly it was pretty nice. Again with the Starbuzz Pink, I got a really strong buzz, but the milk made the smoke very smooth. I liked it, but I wouldn't say it was a huge change over water.

That's all for now. I have some more Hookah recipes I want to share, but maybe I'll add them when my package finally comes.

Hookah Time

As mentioned in my AboutMe. I love hookah. It's only natural that I am a fanatic for two reason. A) I attend Ithaca College. B) I lived in India.

Basically, there's no way I'm not going to love hookah.

Anyway, I recently just got a new hookah in Ithaca Commons, nothing super fancy. I got it downtown at Jabbawock, smoker heaven. There are shelves and shelves of bowls. They range from your little one-hitters, to normal size, head-shaped, dragon bowls. And at the back of the store is the hookah selection. I have to say, it's not the best, but they function well from what I've used so far.

My complaints? They seem to support ONLY "hookah hookah" brand shisha. It is probably the worst kind of shisha one can buy. I personally am a fan of Tangiers, though it takes a little more work. If you ever want some additional hookah tips, just let me know. Anyway, here is a picture of my new hookah. I will probably post another since this is an awful shot and I ordered some new parts for it.

What's going to change?
I ordered a Mya hose from www.hookah-shisha.com, one of my absolute favorite hookah sites.
I also ordered a Phunnel bowl. Don't get me wrong, Egyptian bowls are great, but it's time for a new and exciting flavor experience with this bowl. Plus, Tangiers is wasted less when used in a Phunnel bowl.

So, if you see me around campus, I'll probably be with my new (currently unnamed) hookah. Have any name ideas? let me know.