An Irishman`s Note – from Singapore via Paris
To be a pipe smoker is go against trends and political correctness. For example, in recent years, globalization and integration have been in retreat. Just two years ago, Donald Trump commented,
„When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best; they’re not sending you,“ Trump said. „They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.“
from R to L: Peter, Alec, Dr. Mike, Bodo I.
Despite these trends, the bonds amongst us pipe smokers are growing stronger every year. It’s difficult to imagine a warmer more diverse fellowship. It’s been a great year for the Singapore-German pipe alliance. During 2018, we’ve been delighted by the visits of Peter and Bodo to Singapore and during Dec we’ve been wonderfully hosted in Munich.
Any German would be a bit apprehensive seeing this shabby Singaporean delegation arriving in Munich. “Jesus Christ! An Irishman and a Chinese. One of them probably wants our money and the other to steal our technical secrets”.
The day started with a visit to legendary tobacconist Pfeifen Huber. Bodo has been telling me about this store for the last 10 years. It was very exciting to finally see the beautiful store in person and meet the warm staff.
Pfeifen Huber´s Mr. Jens Meyer & Dr. Michael Loh
In the afternoon we were hosted by Peter. The air was thick with great conversation helped on with lots of great German beer. The air was also thick with tobacco from Pfeifen Huber. I had to step out a couple of times to catch my breath. We finished the evening with a traditional German meal and more great beer.
Dr. Mike & Bodo F. at Pfeifen Huber`s Tobacco Bar
Every pipe smoker is an individualist and a rebel. So much so, that it requires a very special person to build us into a community of friends. We’ve been blessed in Munich and Singapore in having two such unique individuals. I lift my glass to Bodo and Dr Mike.
I would also like to thank Bodo Mauk for being a generous and thoughtful host during our visit. Your elegant volcano is sitting beside my desk as I finish this note. I’m looking forward to rewarding myself with a smoke.
In the world at large, our peaceful, harmless pipe smoking habit is under constant assault by excessive legislation and hysterical media campaigns. It’s sad to see how pipe smokers have become marginalized in popular culture and once great brands and shops slowly fade away. However, I’m convinced that there is a positive side to this trend. As pipe smokers become increasingly rare, the quality of our community becomes more and more refined.
Addendum
I should note also that I think Donald’s concerns about Mexicans living in the USA are misguided. In fact, it appears that the types of Mexicans he is worried about have mostly chosen to live in Singapore.
Dear Alec, thanks for posting this nice article on the blog! Actually it was also a great honour and pleasure to have Dr.Mike, Avril and you around at our Munich pipe community last December. The two Bodos and Peter have reported us so much about the generous hospitality they always received at the Singapore Pipe & Cigar Club and from its members. So I’m happy to read you enjoyed your stay in Munich. Hopefully we can repeat such a meeting one day. Lots of greetings to Paris and Singapore and „may you always have your pipes under smoke“ 😉