Commentary on hookahs, smoke rings, and The Dream

Greetings, Hobo Heroes. A quick introduction – I am Marina, also known as The Mariner.  I have spent a number of days at the Hobo HQ, but this is the tale of my first experience being abroad with the Hobohookah.

The first stop on my adventure was in Tiberias, one of the Four Holy Cities in Israel.  With a phenomenal view overlooking the Sea of Galilee and a group of close friends gathered on a rooftop, I knew that the opening day deserved a righteous celebration.  So I chose to make the first move.

A quick trip to the nearest grocery store resulted in a pack of coals, some Kosher Chinese takeout, an assortment of beers, and a large bottle of Bacardi rum that required speedy consumption.  Several shots later, the mood was right, the bottle was vanquished, and we were all set to go.

Locked, stocked, packed, and lit, the HoboHookah became the centerpiece for a small, but boisterous party.  Not long after we had begun, a group of off-duty Israeli soldiers came toward our little jamboree.  My first reaction was on the defensive - I assumed we were in trouble.

I cautiously smiled, they paused.  They asked to join, my smile grew.  I quickly realized that these people were just like us - all they wanted was a good time and delicious puff of hookah.  Using the HoboHookah as a conversation starter, we got to know each other throughout the night, with the discussion venturing deeper into culture, politics, and dreams.  The party lasted well past the break of dawn and served as the perfect opening line to an amazing adventure.

…Hello Tangiers Hookah Tobacco Flavor Tasting!

And that’s it Hobo Hereos.  We sold the last two HoboHookahs to Jack S and Daniel B.  And just like the very first HoboHookah we ever sent out, we’ll be including an original HoboHookah Nalgene bottle with each in order to assist in living the dream.  They also come signed by Mike, Dave, Alan and myself, which we thought was a great idea after polishing off a bottle of Evan Williams Whiskey on Thursday night. Just another couple more over-served customers, thanks guys!

So what’s next?  The HoboHookah will be back, we will guarantee that, but not probably in 2009.  The pure stainless steel beauty is taking a rest and getting a full redesign and will reclaim its title as the best hookah ever made sometime in the near term.  In the mean time…wait for it….The HoboNargile, a lighter, economically learner, more feature-rich, and colorful hookah product, will be gracing our presence.  We get the prototypes later this week, and we’ll begin taking the first orders soon.  We think you will be impressed with the Narg, as you were with the last Hook.

There is another Hobocans Happy Hour up.  In this edition we taste and rate three top hookah tobacco flavors from Tangiers, including Pear, Cocoa and Lemon Blossom. Enjoy!

…and Making Pizza with the Hookah guys.

Another long weekend of living the dream over here.  This Saturday was a train, water taxi and automobile kind of Saturday.  First stop, was the Big Ten Block Party over at the Sixpoint Craft Ales Brewery in Brooklyn. 

I think we were there for about 5 minutes before meeting one of the Brewmasters, Shane.  Shane is Wisconsin boy like ourselves, formerly a Brewmaster at one of our favorite spots in Madison, the Angelic  Brewery (now closed).  We got the full tour of the facilities, which was almost as impressive as the full tour of beers.  Highly recommending the Bengali Tiger.  Thanks Shane for the hospitality.

Also, just a head’s up, there is another Hobocans Happy Hour up.  Cheers heros.

…and Internet Week in NYC.

Good morning Hobo Heros.  The Hobo HQ has not been idle these last few weeks, even though our hookah blog has been a bit uneventful.

Last week, in New York, was the big Internet Week, where all of those Internet personalities (mostly from our brethren on the West Coast) hosted a grip of big time events in the city of media, money, and 4am+ bar times.  We did make an appearance at the DiggNation event, and even got the VIP treatment on the upper level. 

The Digg guys were absolutely hammered on stage, which was hilarious.  But bigger for us, was hob-knobbing with Jersey Vid-entrepreneur Gary V from the infamous Wine Library TV video blog.  If you haven’t checked it out, heros, its a must watch.  Maybe there will even be a hookah and wine show, some day.  This is our motivation.

And to the left, is a picture from our very own VersaKyle, who is chilling, grilling and smoking a Fumari packed HoboHookah in the beautiful Wisconsin summer’s eve.  Wish we were there, man.

And stay tuned, another Hobocans Happy Hour will be coming up next Monday as well as, just perhaps, some glimpses of our next party hookah…

Lots of chatter out there, including a mother’s love (and money) bringing coals to Bolivia.

Funny thing: One of the key accessories we want to bring to the next hookah that is Hobo is a diffuser.  And when I say Nikon’s post over at Hookah Forum I knew immediately we were on the right track.  Check out this video, grab a straw and try it out.  Once we release our diffuser, the upgrade will be seamless.

Also, on the internets, long time Hobo extrodinaire, Mal B, broke down what sometimes is the cost of Living the Dream on her blog:

"Box of Coals: $22
FedEx Shipment: $64.61
Bolivia Taxes: $38.85
Lighting up the shisha at Valle de la Luna: Priceless"

Lesson learned Heros: Always pack more coals, especially when traveling to a place called the Valley of the Moon.

And finally: It is that time of the week for another Hobocans Happy Hour.  This time we interview a couple HoboHookah Veterans, who can be credited with making the Atlanta - Montreal run with a sustained lit hookah the whole way.  Enjoy.