Hookah 101 Village Bazaar

DEALS!!! DEALS!!! DEALS!!!
So I was looking into buying a hookah, since I broke mine from falling off the table, and was searching how much a new one would be that would hit even better than the one I broke. I even was looking at the prices of hookah’s on a recent trip to Wisconsin dells and they were entirely too much, almost $ 80-​$ 100.

The owner an Egyptian guy, incredibly friendly, and a really good salesman I might add, HOOKED IT UP!!! Got a the Large size hookah (called bazooka), extra hose, attachment piece for an option to make it two hoses, some extremely some tasty tobacco called FUSION — flavor sex on the beach (recommended by the owner), pipe cleaners, and he threw in another tobacco, I think it was some home made stuff. But anyways, all that was — — — – $ 65 — — — - YES SIXTY FIVE DOLLARS. SERIOUSLY!!!
That was a basically a steal, went home, tried it out, and it hits like a Champ, like your inhalation is incredibly easy and smooth. All I know is when ever I need some hookah stuff that is the only place I’m going, oh yeah and bring cash he will give you a better deal.

So, I am wandering around Albany Park, scouting it for the neighborhood tour, when I spied Hookah 101. Being Albany Park, I’d already passed by exactly 483 956 hookah shops. What made me stop in this one? I have no idea. «What the h (ookah),» I figured, and walked in.
I stumbled in. Literally. I tripped over something in the doorway. It’s a small shop that sells hookah and tobacco products wholesale and on an individual basis. On the southside of the storewall are a bevy of ornate hookah pipes, tobacco, incense, incense burners (including the kind you see in Catholic churches that you get to fling around; what fun!), hand-​carved stools and a lot of other things I couldn’t discern. The northside is the home of oils and a store-​length long jewelry case. Most of the effects are Middle Eastern/​North African and everything was very shiny and beautiful. I saw rings, necklaces, broaches, head adornments and earrings. I tiptoed around gilded cups, plates and stemware that looked expensive. I saw familiar icons such an ankhs, eyes, birds and cats. By the door are books on language, culture and religion and all over the shop are really gorgeous dresses, shawls and frilly things.
The owner is very laid back and friendly. He explained that he’d been having tea with a friend and that was why the stools were in the middle of the floor. After he asked if I would like a cup of tea, he encouraged me to walk around, pick things up, ask questions and try things out. He didn’t hover but he was quick to interrupt his conversation with his neighbor (a restaurant owner) to offer me suggestions. I wound up buying some burning oil, incense and one of those incense-​thrower things. I have plenty of incense holders but this one is stainless steel, fancy and is what I would use to bless my (or yours, for a fee) house. Pretty cool.
The cost for all of this? I can’t tell you. Seriously, I was shocked at how little I paid. I thought that he told me wrong and I sorta stood around and looked at him for a bit. Then he asked me what part of Egypt I was from. I answered, «Kentucky.» «Oh. Like the chicken?,» he replied with a laugh. «But really? You’re not Egyptian? Muslim?» «No. I’m sorry.» «No worries, my friend.» My friend! I make friends wherever I go. It dawned on me that, perhaps, my good price fortunes were the results of ambiguous ethnicity and I should high tail it out of their before I was charged «white people» price. So, with a handshake and smile, I left.
And I left feeling really good about my ‘discovery.’ If you like Middle Eastern/​North African smells and/​or bling, definitely check this place out. It’s a small shop but there’s a lot to see and experience. Plus, the owner is a really nice guy who will answer your questions, show you jewelry and offer you a seat & tea. What’s not to like about that?