Shisha


				*Azar Family Place* *Shisha*



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There are so many different names for this unique smoking device, which is essentially, a simple water pipe. Some call it a hookah, hooka, huka, sheesha, shisha, shishah, hubbly bubbly, nargile, narghile, nargila... The Shisha, as it is known in Egypt, has been the standard of smoking for centuries in the middle east. Some say it originated in Turkey over 500 years ago, some say it originated in Syria, regardless, it is widely smoked in throughout the Middle East and Turkey at restaurants and cafes. This unique smoking experience is rapidly growing in popularity all over the world. Many people prefer Shisha smoking to cigarettes and cigars because of the smooth, flavorful, and cool taste of the smoke. After trying shisha for the first time in Turkey, I was hooked. Although I was an avid cigar smoker, I soon gave up the harsh, hot smoke of the cigar for the Shisha. The Shisha filters the flavored smoke with water and cools it making each puff oh so sweet!!!

Tobacco for the shisha is mixed with fruit, molasses and honey Specifically, the tobacco is a ground up mixture of dried fruit pulp, molasses and fresh tobacco leaves. It comes in a variety of flavors including apple, apricot, strawberry, mint, cherry, grape, and the list just goes on and on.

Each shisha pipe is lavishly decorated and can make for a great conversation piece in your home.

Click here for Shisha setup instructions:

My first time trying Shisha

I finally decided to try shisha in this cafe in the Arasta Bazzar in Istanbul Turkey - April of 2001

Amazingly, smoking shisha is generally not just smoking, it's a mini "happening". Friends congregate and sit for hours at a time having shisha while chatting, having tea and playing cards or board games. It really, almost acts a an excuse for people to spend time together. It just happens to be a very pleasurable way of doing so.

Smoking a nargile is nothing like smoking a cigarette.

Cigarettes are for people on the run.

When you smoke a nargile, you have time to think. It teaches you patience and tolerance, and gives you an appreciation of good company.

Nargile smokers have a much more balanced approach to life than cigarette smokers.

After our Wedding at 4 am we went out for shisha

L-R Mohamed, Me, Nadia, Mohamed, Rania, Heba, Jasent, Walid, Maha & Hisham

Adam - Like Father Like Son!!!

It's a family thing

Having Shisha with Nadia in Shar el Shiek Egypt

We had just spent 4 days scuba diving in the Red Sea. Awsome! 8/03

I just couldn't resist!

Playing around at Panorama Sharm in Sharm el Shiek

Believe it or not, this is right after our Weeding

We had a great time it started out as a crowd of 20 or so and thinned out as the morning went on.

Click here if your interested in finding a Shisha for yourself