Cozy Cafe
23 October 2008
A hookah is a water pipe used for smoking various tobaccos. The hookah, aka Shisha from the Persian word Shishe which means glass, originated in India. Smoking from a hookah was traditionally part of the Arab cultural world, but has become quite popular for young trendsetters in New York. Hookah lounges have been popping up all over the five boroughs. These new lounges cater to young smokers interested in a techno-pulsing, dimly illuminated, hip atmosphere rather than the traditional hookah clubs that are usually only patronized by men interested in talking shop and seeing old friends. While smoking flavored tobacco and sipping Moroccan tea might not be a new experience for most people, I had never tried the hookah before last night, so it was completely new for me. In my opinion, if there was any way to end this long summer challenge of events it was to end it with something that I have never tried before. Enter the Cozy Cafe.
Alison, Nellie and I ended up at the Cozy Cafe after a dinner celebrating Nellie's upcoming move to Australia. While the two of them have frequented several hookah lounges and were ready to jump right into things, I needed a quick tutorial from them and one of the managers to keep from hacking up bits of lung. As a non-smoker, my first sensation from inhaling our Jasmine flavored tobacco was a fantastic lightheaded feeling. A few puffs later and I felt like an old pro. The key to not scalding your lungs is to exhale the smoke rather quickly, or so said the manager. Thanks to the girls and the Cozy Cafe it was lovely evening and a very interesting end to the 100 in 6.
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $567 + one pint of blood + a couple hundred alveoli
Photos courtesy of Alison.
1 comment:
Congratulations!!!
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