arghila/hookah (smoke)
'Coffee shops' are places to drink coffee and smoke waterpipes. The term 'Argila' is often used in Ramallah to describe the waterpipes, while 'Shishah' is also used at some places. You might even see 'Hookah' or 'Hubbly Bubbly'. You can also smoke Arghila in almost any restaurant, although some have special areas for them.
You can order normal 'aadi' or fresh 'fresh'. Fresh means the tobacco is placed in a piece of fruit like an orange or even a watermelon. It has a smoother flavour but is more expensive. You should also choose your flavour. Common flavours are double-apple 'tufateen' and lemon and mint 'limun-w-nana'.
Depending on the location and type of restaurant of cafe, the price of smoking a nice and soothing tobacco waterpipe costs anywhere between 8-30 NIS 2-8 U$D. The cheapest places do have an unwritten men-only rule, however.
Baladna next to Rukab icecream is a cheap 'Coffee Shop' with an un-written men-only rule. It is packed every day for most of the evening. A normal Arghila is about 8 NIS.
Tarwee'a Main Street/Tireh Street near the Arab Bank is a midrange 'Coffee Shop' which accepts men and women.
Cigarettes can be bought from most grocery shops and supermarkets. Most international brands can be found, in addition to locally produced ones. A pack of imported cigarettes costs around 15 NIS 4 U$D.
