From: ??????????????????????? (Martin Golding) Subject: Re: Hookahs > I can't remember this being addressed here, so I'll bring it up: Any hookah > smokers? Me! Me! I don't use it much, but it always gets a workout at our annual goat roast, when there are convenient piles of charcoal. > I am the proud if somewhat ambivalent owner of a lovely "4-seater" > and could use some hints on how and what to smoke. Partially fill the bottle with water. I've been informed that it's traditional to add a shot of arrak (if you imagine ouzo as a gentle, civilized tipple, arrak would be its primitive and brutal ancestor). Crumble dried whole-leaf tobacco, soak it in water for a few minutes, and pile it in the bowl. Top with three or four pieces of burning charcoal. It'll smoke for hours, if you keep the charcoal stoked (which is why I wait for the goat roast). Since you're in Portland, you'll be glad to know the International Food Bazaar, 929 SW 9th, carries the correct tobacco (and single hose hookahs). For those in less civilized areas, check middle eastern and Persian grocery stores. Martin [ BTW, congrats on the 4-seater! Enjoy, with three friends! And never mix ouzo with water. -S. ] ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U