Help us at our family guest house in Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia

Infos

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  Description

  We are a Polish-Mongolian couple, Agata and Tamir, living in Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia. Agata, originally from Poland, came to Mongolia as a researcher and found her home here. Tamir, a well-known Mongolian artist and calligrapher, brings his artistic talents to our lives. Together, we're restoring an old house and turning it into a welcoming guest house.
  
  Our place offers a unique blend of history, culture, and creativity. We have three guest rooms, a restaurant space, a cozy library, Tamir's calligraphy studio, and some yurts in the backyard! With plenty of outdoor space, we're transforming the area into a beautiful garden and recreational haven.
  
  Location
  
  Karakorum boasts a central location, placing you right next to the local bus station and marketplace. Explore the town's hidden gems, including the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the archaeological museum, and L'Ecrin - Erdenesiin Khuree, a Mongolian calligraphy and art center founded by Tamir himself! The breathtaking Orkhon River Valley is just a 3km journey away, offering stunning natural beauty.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Baby-sitting et jeux créatifs

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Accueil / tourisme

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Living and working alongside us in Karakorum offers a unique opportunity for cultural immersion. Here are some ways you'll deepen your understanding of Mongolia:
  
  1. Uncover Mongolian Traditions: Gain firsthand experience with daily life in the Mongolian countryside. Learn about local customs, traditions, and ways of living.
  2. Become a Calligraphy Master: Tamir, a renowned Mongolian artist, will be your guide in the art of traditional Mongolian calligraphy. Agata can also teach you the unique techniques of Tibetan calligraphy.
  3. A Culinary Adventure: Discover the delicious world of Mongolian cuisine. Savor traditional dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients, and even try the famous horse milk drink!
  4. Explore the Historical Capital: Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia, is steeped in history. We'll help you explore the town's historical sites, including the Erdene Zuu Monastery, a significant Buddhist center.
  5. Horseback Riding Adventure (Optional): Experience the vast Mongolian landscape on horseback! We can help you arrange an unforgettable riding trip (at additional cost).
  6. Travel Tips and Beyond: We're happy to share our knowledge and insider tips to help you plan your Mongolian adventure.
  
  We believe in genuine cultural exchange and are eager to share our way of life with you.

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  Aide

  Become a Part of Our Karakorum Family!
  
  We're looking for responsible and enthusiastic individuals to join our family-run guest house in Karakorum. While we have some creative projects on the go, the primary focus of our Workaway program is to assist with daily operations. Here's how you can contribute to our warm and welcoming environment:
  
  1. Hospitality Helpers: We need help with tasks like:
  Preparing guest rooms for arrival (making beds, cleaning)
  Assisting with meal preparation and cooking (breakfast and lunch or dinner)
  Maintaining cleanliness throughout the guest house (common areas, bathrooms)
  
  2. Light Housekeeping: Keeping things tidy is essential. You can help with tasks like:
  Cleaning floors and surfaces
  Doing laundry
  Washing dishes
  
  3. Garden Care: Our backyard is a work in progress! Lend a hand with weeding, planting, and general garden maintenance.
  
  4. Creative Collaborators: If you have artistic talents or enjoy DIY projects, let us know! We're always open to collaborating on creative ideas for the guest house.
  
  Remember, you're joining a family! We value open communication and a collaborative spirit. We'll provide all the necessary training for guest house tasks, and of course, there will be time for cultural exchange and exploration too!

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Mongolian: Courant
  Polonais: Courant
  Russe: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
  
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  Hébergement

  Depending on availability and your preference, you can stay in one of the rooms or in the yurt. We can accommodate a family or a single person, however, mind that sometimes you might need to share a room with other volunteers.
  
  We provide meals or ingredients for 2 daily meals: breakfast and lunch/dinner depending on your work schedule. It is possible to arrange vegetarian or vegan food options.

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  Autres infos...

  If you want to stay at our home please read all the information carefully. When you write to us wanting to apply for a Workaway experience please :
  1. let us know that you accept the rules of the house (mentioned below in the following text)
  2. leave your WhatsApp number so that we can have a quick video call before you arrive
  I WILL NOT RESPOND TO MESSAGES THAT DO NOT CONTAIN THE ABOVE TWO POINTS.
  Also, be prepared to show us your passport when you arrive. When you stay with us it is important to understand that we become one team and we are responsible for each other. You should also know that there is a child at home so you have to be ok with children around.
  Another thing that you should know: we are not your parents and we won't teach you personal culture, work culture or basic housework skills so you should know how to clean the dishes or wash the floor before you arrive. Thanks!
  We reserve the right to finish our workaway agreement immediately if you break any of the house rules or turn out unskilled. Mind that it's a WORKaway, not CHILLaway or something like this :P
  
  Rules of the house:
  1. Be kind and respect each other. Communication is the key.
  2. Clean after yourself NOW (not after... Or tomorrow...)
  3. Keep common spaces tidy.
  4. Give equally as you take.
  5. If the door was closed, when you enter/leave, close it back.
  6. Every day we talk about our plans for the next day so that we can organize our work and sum up the day.
  7. Don't put dangerous or breakable things on the level of the toddler (there is a child in the house)
  8. Don't leave things outside unattended (the wind or dog or someone will take them)
  9. If you want to help and don't know how, check if: there are dishes to wash, trash to collect, floor to clean, kitchen to clean, food to prepare, etc
  10. If you don't know something, ask!
  
  Make sure that you accept and follow the rules.
  
  
  FAQ:
  1. How to get to Kharkhorin from UB?
  The best way is to take a bus from the Dragon bus station in UB. It leaves every day at 11 am but be prepared to get there earlier to get the ticket. It costs around 40 000 tugrigs (=10 euro). It takes about 6 hours to get to Kharkhorin. (We will send you precise instructions before you come.)
  
  2. What is the weather like in Kharkhorin?
  Mongolia has a continental climate: very cold and long winters, with temperatures that often reach-30°C, and short, but warm summers. The summer lasts from June to August and it is the warmest time. In spring and autumn, you can have "four seasons on one day", the weather is unpredictable and changeable. The first snow can happen in September in Kharkhorin and it can still snow in April. Please research carefully the months in which you will be traveling.
  
  The sun shines on average 257 days a year and Mongolia is called the "Country of the Blue Sky". The difference between temperatures in the day and in the night can be high, so be prepared with a few layers of clothes.
  Kharkkhorin is known for its strong wind which brings up a lot of dust in the air from time to time.
  Kharkhorin is located at an altitude of 1540 meters above sea level.
  
  3. What should I bring to Mongolia?
  First of all, take some warm clothes. A sleeping bag can be useful too. Most days are sunny so a hat to protect your head and UV cream will be a good idea. A pocket knife, a torch, and some camping accessories might be useful depending on your plans for travel. When you visit Mongolian families it is good to bring some gifts with you so something small from your home country might be nice to gift to people. The climate is very dry so you might need some hand cream etc. depending on your skin condition. If you plan to go to the countryside or do horse riding some high shoes are recommended.
  
  4. Is it possible to use a MasterCard for everyday transactions?
  In Kharkhorin (and in the Mongolian countryside in general) most places refuse foreign bank card payments. However, you can use your card to withdraw money from some of the ATMs (for example from Khan Bank's ATM) and then use cash for transactions. It is recommended to come to Mongolia with some cash in EUR or USD and exchange it in Ulan Bator. In Kharkhorin it is also possible to exchange currency but only in one bank and sometimes they refuse the "ugly" banknotes.
  
  5. How much cash should I bring?
  This will really depend on your plans for travel so I can't answer this question shortly. Do some research on your plans and destinations :)
  
  6. Can I hitchhike in Mongolia?
  Yes, you can hitchhike in Mongolia but it is not for free. It is more like a "blablacar" and you should pay for the travel, the payment will depend on the length of your ride.
  
  7. Is it safe in Mongolia?
  It is safe in general if you follow some of the rules. Beware of the dogs, don't pet them, they can be very dangerous because their job is to protect the home from strangers.
  Keep your valuable things and money in a safe place, don't leave them visible because they will get stolen. Don't show your wallet full of money in public places. Keep your things organized. What is on the table belongs to everyone.
  Be careful with drunk guys. If you don't know what the Mongolians are capable of, reread the Mongolian Empire and Chinggis Khaan history :D they are the fighters :P
  Also, if you plan to horse ride it will be safer to book with a professional tour company. Most of the horses in the countryside are half-wild, not really tamed, and can hurt you. Make sure you have insurance!
  
  8. What other things should a foreigner know when coming to Kharkhorin?
  The time in the Mongolian countryside goes from day to day. It is good to be flexible and adapt to the situation rather than plan everything precisely in advance.
  Research what you want to see and experience in Mongolia and enjoy your time!
  
  If you have more questions feel free to ask but remember that Google has a lot of good answers too! Do some research on your own 😀 Thanks!

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il aimait accueillir les digital nomads.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Cet hôte a de la place pour les vans.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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