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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Apr 2025
Reply rate
94.4 %
Usually responds within 3 days
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Details
Description
Hello everybody!
I am Lilian from Holland and I have been living in Cappadocia/Turkey since 1979. My husband, Galip, (who is from Avanos, Cappadocia) and I are both potters and own two pottery studıos and a shop in Avanos as well as some guestrooms around and above our own house.
As we are getting older, we would love to have some help in the house and sometimes in the pottery-shop and offer you, in exchange, a nice place in the middle of Cappadocia :-)
We have several courtyards with lots of plants, a 10 bedroom house (from which 4 of them are used by us and the others by visitors --who we rarely have nowadays. There is a kitchen that can be used by the volunteers.
We have 5 dogs and 4 cats (plus the stray cats that come and go) at home.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Cappadocia is one of the world wonders and is visited by thousands of people from all around the world each year. It is the cultural tourism capital of Turkey and one of the most popular places to do hot air ballooning. There are many valleys, all of them fantastic for hiking.
Besides its activities and culture, Capadocıa has an old history relating to the Hittite Civilization (2000 B.C.) and much earlier. If you are a nature, culture and history lover, you will love this region.
It is very easy to come in contact with the local people; as well with the people working wlth us, as by wondering around in the region.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Welcome help; we always need help with walking the dogs in the morning & evening, feeding the dogs & cats, cleaning the yards, watering plants and garden, cleaning the common area & doing laundry.
For other tasks that require experience, please do apply as well.
We need help for tasks around the wooden house we are constructing. So a handy human :-) would be great.
The house is almost finished but already painted doors and window- frames just need a last hand. The outside of the house needs to be varnished a second time and we would love some artistic wall painting :-) on a few white walls. etc.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO READ ALL THE INFORMATION BEFORE APPLYING!
Our house is located in the old part of Avanos and is one of those very old cave houses (partly). Besides the already mentioned tasks; there are household chores such as cleaning rooms, some garden work. Sometimes we also need some help with some restoration like filling cracks in walls (old stone house), painting a floor, a door, or a chair and so on:-)
We also need some help in and around our pottery studio and workshop or help with translation from English to Italian/Spanish/ Portugese/Chinese of the information we give to our visitors.
Our daughters work with us too and have young children (one born in 2015, one in 2017, one in May 2019 and the last in May 2021) who regularly accompany them to work, so sometimes babysitting or playing with them could be needed.
A very important condition is: you need to love animals.
At home we have 5 dogs and 4 cats, and also in the pottery studios we have another 4 dogs and several cats, doves, chickens.
Please also realize that we live in a small town in the countryside, we (humans) are not the only living creatures, an insect or a mouse might cross your way. If you have a problem with that then please do not apply.
We are not strict, but some rules are needed to prevent problems and misunderstandings. We will make a list and a timetable for the tasks we would like you to do and discuss with you what you would like to do, so that it will make the work exchange easier for both sides. That way, you will also be able to more easily plan your free time accordingly..
You don't need to be perfect as long as you feel good with what you are doing. It should be a win-win situation for both sides.
Finally, please keep your room, bathroom and the shared common kitchen/places you use, during your stay and before you leave clean. Sometimes people seem to forget, which can be very disappointing after having shared a good time together.
We can host 1, 2 sometimes up to 4 workawayers at the time. We like people to stay for at least 2 weeks, preferable more. If and when it feels like a good fit to all of us, and you would like to stay longer, that is possible, provided we don't already have prior commitments to other workawayers. Conversely, if it doesn't feel good for one of us, we might decide together that you leave earlier.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Turkish: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Hebrew: Intermediate
Accommodation
You will have a shared bedroom, when more then 2 people there will be a second room available. The rooms have their private bathroom. When not a couple, you might have to use it with another workawayer.
There is a common kitchen you can use.
We provide lunch only (home made traditional warm meals).
What else ...
Our house is located very centrally in the old town of Avanos. We have a wonderful view from our large terraces where you can enjoy the good weather (mostly) of Cappadocia.
Avanos is a very old pottery town and is very famous for handicrafts and its Red River. The town has several restaurants, a couple of bars and a very nice riverside walking path along both sides of the river where you can walk, run or use the sport equipment placed by the municipality. You can also have a picnic there.
There are three bridges in town , one dedicated only to pedestrians.
The highlights of the region are very easy to access by bus. For example;
Goreme Open Air Museum: 20 min. by bus
Goreme Town: 15 min. by bus (you can access this town by hiking through one of the very beautiful valleys as well!)
Ürgüp Town: 30 min. by Bus
Kaymakli Underground City: 45 min by bus
There are many small villages, beautiful valleys to hike in, museums, underground cities. We can give more info about this during your stay.
Activities;
We have at home a small library with books in several languages. Some of the book are to give away or exchange is also possible. (Of course first ask me which ones 😄)
At home we also have a piano, a guitar, a violin, some flutes and some rhythm instruments. Anybody staying in the house may use them...of course in consultation with the other people staying at the house.
Outside;
-Hiking (in the beautiful valleys in the region around us)
-Horseback Riding Tours. We have friends who own ranches.
-Hot air Ballooning
-You can also participate in regular tours that are organized by local travel agencies
-Swimming; swimming pools in several hotels and camping sites in the summer and in Nevsehir in a sport center all year round.
-and of course you can have a try on one of our pottery kick wheels and put your hands in clay.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (28)
Mariano stayed with us several weeks in December, and he was a great help with many different tasks, like organising and restoring the garden, keeping the courtyards clean, walking and feeding the dogs and cats every morning and evening! He was fantastisch… read more
We stayed with them 3 weeks in December and the place is warm, even if sometimes is really cold outside, and we felt really at home.
With Galip, due the not common language, we… read more
Photos
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
Mariano stayed with us several weeks in December, and he was a great help with many different tasks, like organising and restoring the garden, keeping the courtyards clean, walking and feeding the dogs and cats every morning and evening! He was fantastisch… read more
We stayed with them 3 weeks in December and the place is warm, even if sometimes is really cold outside, and we felt really at home.
With Galip, due the not common language, we… read more
What a pitty Gabriel couldn’t come. Hopefully another time. When you might be in Turkey, Cappadocia, again,you will be very welcome.
Anybody who needs help I recommend Marina. She is very friendly, independed and clean 😄.
Greetings from… read more
The dogs and cats were adorable, and I enjoyed spending time with them, feeding and walking with them.
The job mainly involved cleaning the house and walking the dogs, which was easy for me, and I had lots of free… read more
Walking the dogs every morning and evening, looking after them, cleaning their bowls, the courtyards, the garden, some rooms, Ironing 😁, etc etc. and of course Sara’s house! ..
When you are around any other time you’re very welcome to pass by or do another workaway with us.… read more
Lilian is flexible with the work timetable: we chose to work full days so that we could enjoy Cappadocia the rest of the time ! It was amazing !
Especially we are thankful to them that we could join… read more
My Family, Galip, Sara, were so pleased with you, what a pity that I wasn’t at home during the time you were there.
Who knows we will meet some other time when you might visit… read more
After explaining just one time, we didn’t need to ask you anything anymore because you just saw what was needed and did it.. you looked so well after our 5 dogs and 3 cats, the courtyards and garden, the kitchen and rooms were… read more
exactly what I needed!
Thank you Lilian, for trusting me with your amazing, authentic and majestic home, your sweet dogs and super friendly cats.
For trusting me to get things done and giving me the freedom to do them.
For the open communication.
Thank you for all the information and time you spent showing me where… read more
Die Gegend ist wirklich wunderschön! Wir sind viel gewandert und haben verschiedenste Orte entdeckt.
In der Töpferei hatten wir viele sehr nette und interessante… read more
It was such a pleasure to have her with us.. She managed very well to find her way everywhere she was needed in our surroundings at home and the potteries, had a very good contact with all the people working with us and was very energetic and… read more
He… read more
They helped us with many things like painting (very professionally) all the fences around our terrassen, doors, windows, benches and… read more
We were able to help you with your website, take pictures of ceramics. Her husband is a very fun and happy person. Both are very caring people.
Lilian was always attentive to us, they taught us how to make ceramics and explained everything in her shop, we shared… read more
Sorry for being soooo late to send a feedback.... much later then you were...But of course we didn't forget you.. thanks a lot for your help..especially with Bayram, our very special lovely dog who will for sure also remember you :-))) but also with all the other things that always have to be done here around the house and the… read more
Thank you so much for helping us. Especially your help with the animals, the goats, and your advices has been so worthy..Unfortunately İ wasn't there, but İ only heard positive stories about you :-)
So next time, whenever you feel like coming back to Avanos, İ hope to meet you. You know the way, you will be very welcome to stay with… read more
The language barrier was difficult at first without Lilian but Jade whom I was also living with and whom works at the pottery was more than helpful and became my Turkish guide and then my… read more
We had a great time working together and discussing about everything and anything. Thanks for your help with lots of things that had to be done, especially in the pottery. You even tought pottery to some of our pupils! İ loved your compassion with people and all the information about your countries and cultures. We enjoyed your… read more
İ'm a bit late to send a feedback.. not because we forgot you, İ just didn't take time to write. We were very happy with your company and sharing, and of course your help with everything we needed to be done at home and in the pottery. We enjoyed very much to learn about your life and your country too..That is the beautiful thing of… read more
Thanks a lot for your help with everything we needed to be done at home and in the pottery, your happy company and all the information about you country and culture, mate! :-)). And of course we didn't forget your lovely food, especially your caramel pie!) And..Congratulations with your 2nd price from the workaway fotocompetition!… read more
The main job was clean and put in order one old house. Lilian and Galip are friendly and we had breakfast with the rest of the volunteers all together. The house is more than beautiful with a great view. Avanos is quiet but you have a lot of places to walk around and visit.
Some days we went to… read more
İ absolutely recommend anybody who needs help to accept you... İ am sure there… read more
We stayed with Lilian and Galip for 12 days, met their daughters and granddaughter. Everything she states on her profile is true! We were treated as family and were well-fed. They live in a beautiful and clean house with the greatest view of Avanos (a super town).
Their employees at both pottery shops were… read more
İ for sure recommend Sara.
Thank you Sara for your help and company.
When you make a good workscedule together with the people you stay with, anybody will… read more
Thank you very much for all your help and pleasant company! Very happy with the good and organised work you did for us. Always remember you, because İ see your work every day....(the tiles on the wall..., the planks in the workshop and the living room :-). Hope to see you back some time. (Spring??? ) You're always very… read more
You brought the Brazilian sun to all of us, while outside it was freezing and snow! So what else can İ say...You travel and we travel too in this way. A very nice experience to have you both, Nicoli and Parma, staying with us..you… read more
it was a wonderful experience to know them and see the good heart that everyone has and to be able to see and participate a little in the beautiful work they do with ceramics
We recommend everyone to experience this too.
who knows someday we can come back and help them one more… read more
very active and enthusiastic. (You can see her inner child when she laughs) She's also very sympathetic and understanding. I was suppose to stay only one week and she let me stay longer than planned as I had an unexpected small… read more
We went there to fill in the gap of a cook who just left, cooking lunch for the staff, but also some occasional odd jobs.… read more
The work included washing windows, cleaning rooms (dusting, mopping, vacuuming), and washing the patio. We… read more
