#19651 Hookahing Overlooking Half the World in Esfahan, Iran

Call it hookah, sheesha, round these parts qaylan, but this is the way to meet and greet in Esfahan. Just above the entrance to the bazaar, climb up the incredibly steep stairs to the Qeysaieh Tea Shop. From this open air teahouse enjoy some orange flavored tobacco and get a magnificent view of the city that the 16th-century French poet Renier quipped about being "half the world." The world's second largest square unfolds below, Shah Abbas the Great's Islamic answer to St. Peter's square in Rome. Share a peace pipe with inquisitive Iranians as the sun sets and the beautiful buildings change colors, then watch below as the locals practice what might be called the national pastime, picnicking.