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.

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!

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.

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…

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.

Sad news to report on the Hobo Hero front…Reader Aaron has sent in this tale of love lost:

"Sad times today. My car was broken into, and of all the things in my car, such as a $200 gps unit, some jackets worth several hundred bucks, the title, etc… the only thing taken was my hobo hookah and a pair of old running shoes. I didn’t realize it at first, but when I finally noticed, I almost cried. I have gotten so much enjoyment from that thing, I never have to worry about it breaking, I always just expect it to be there, and to have all that ripped away was just horrible.

Anyways, my main idea in sending you this email is to ask if anyone else in the Everett, WA area has ordered a hobo. I don’t want to spot it at a party and start beating the guy’s ass only to realize he legitimately bought the thing."

So let it be known, if you are in Everett, WA and you stole this guy’s Hobo you are a man marked.  Turn it in now and your soul will be spared!

In other news, another Hobocans Happy Hour over at Hobocans.com.  This is the first video since the new format to cover a hookah topic: Modding and DIY hookahs.  Also, we discuss a bit of the "What’s New Hobo" post in regards to the future of our party hookah.  Definitely worth checking out just to see the drill press footage.

Reader Greg shot us some choice suggestions as we roll into the summer months:

– I know it is answering a past question and I have not tried it, but as a nicer "vase" option you may want to use a Ciroc Vodka bottle.  It was really nice to see the HoBo in action working on the "inside" and "outside" of bottle necks/mouths. (See the hookah video here)

– It is not lead to gold but a tasty, quick, and easy drink that will give you quite the buzz:  One Part Whisky (If the wallet can support it Makers), One Part Spearmint Shnapps, One Part Tonic or Club Soda depending on taste preference, Served on a couple ice-cubes.  Please note Tonic it not necessary but helps make the drink last and if you are in20a room with black lights the Quinine in the Tonic glows.  (See the Happy Hour video here)

–  I know you wanted more complex drinks but The Monkey Wrench makes for a great summer drink: For a more specific recipe look on-line:  my recipe- One Part Rum (I am a fan of not-spiced and unflavored dark or light), Two Parts Grapefruit Juice, and a splash of bitters All served on ice.

Keep the dream alive Greg, and Hobo Hereos: Keep on sending us your thoughts.

Well, it has finally arrived.  We have been smoking some of the left-over crap hookah tobacco from the back of the shisha cabinet while waiting for this guy to arrive.  It was worth it.

Orange Cream is way up there on my favorite Fumari flavors.  Here at the Hobo HQ we had quite the debate as whether to try something new or re-up on the Mint Chocolate Chill.  We rolled the dice, took what was in the box, let the north star guide us and we were not disappointed.

First thing’s first: The packaging is the same as a regular pouch of Fumari, except 10-times larger.  Its like Fumari took an enbigulator to its regular 100-grams and then shipped it out as a ki.

Fumari Orange Cream tastes a lot like Al Waha Orange Cream, which is a great thing.  The differences are only the typical premium hookah tobacco vs utility tobacco split: Nicer packaging, juicier consistency (great for a phunnel bowl), better smoking longevity and cleaner after taste.  The flavors themselves, are pretty similar.  If you like Al Waha, you’ll love Fumari.

Also, we have a new Hobocans Happy Hour up at Hobocans.com.  Check out the Cinco de Mayo theme and learn the tricks to revamping your music selection.

We’ve actually been on the Slope a couple of times: Most recently back in 2007 before the official HoboHookah launch, and all we had were the ghetto proto-hobos.

We look forward to arriving in force this time around.  Although we’re not looking as forward to the Pussycat Dolls (to the left) as we were to Snoop, Ben Folds, or even the weak performance by TI (real lame), it should still be a good time of beer, hookah, and the occasional gorge dive.

Final reminder: We are crushing it at Fumari for that brick of shisha, but it never hurts to cast your vote and really send a message.  Vote now, for the Republic.

Just another day of living the dream…

We have another Hobocans Happy Hour up and ready for consumption.  This time we tackle the age old question of what to put on the big screen before bringing the kiddies into town.  Notice the bottle of Shakers Wheat Vodka that the HoboHookah is perched on, that’s Minnesota pride right there!  Rich, compelling.

Also, just another reminder, if you want the latest and greatest updates on what’s going on over here, subscribe to our Twitter feed here.  We are kicking out hookah tips and keeping you informed all all Hobo related news, including Jersey Turn Pike traffic updates.  Its a labor of love.

One final reminder: We are still battling it out over at Fumari to win the big brick of shisha.  If you haven’t voted yet, do so immediately.  If you won a brick of Fumari hookah tobacco, what flavor would you get?