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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
14 Jan 2025
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100.0 %
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Details
Description
I'm Gregory, an American author and international traveler who has established a personal development retreat center in Kalavan village in the Gegharkunik province of Armenia, located less than an hour from Dilijan and Ijevan. Our focus is now on building an international community model for extended stays from locals and foreigners alike who seek the freedom to live as they want.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House sitting
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn a great deal about business, economics, the English language, and overcoming cultural limitations among rural Armenians to bring development to remote locations. I am an author on many of these subjects, and my intention is for my house to be a beacon and safe haven for freethinkers in Armenia. I've learned over the last five years of living here how many people feel suppressed living here and are seeking a place to get away from coercive expectations. I want to be one of the first organizations in Armenia actively offering them that opportunity.
We have a large workshop of tools and building supplies that we use for various construction, metalworking, and carpentry projects.
I could also use help from people experienced in social media and marketing to help build an online brand presence for the village and my house on sites like Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram.
We are now planting vegetables in our greenhouses, which we would like to expand and even eventually set up an in door hydroponic system for growing all year.
If you have experience in any of the arts, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, or music, we would love it if you could share your expertise. We have a large array of musical instruments (piano, guitar, violin, ukulele, percussion, etc.) and art supplies.
Help
Of the people who have come here as volunteers, some have stayed several months and been wonderful, celebrated additions to our micro-community. They found uniquely valuable ways to contribute while they were here, and we all benefited from knowing one another. Yet, many others have been extremely problematic, usually only lasting a very short time here before it became clear they either had expectations that were antithetical to how we operate or they were simply very rude, closed-minded, or even abusive people.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Armenian: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I am a globally experienced English teacher. My last book, Our Global Lingua Franca (), is all about common flaws in the way we teach and try to learn English. If you stay in my house, I will certainly be quick to correct all your small English mistakes and help you gain a more dynamic command of the language.
Accommodation
You will have a comfortable bed in a shared bedroom (usually limited to 3 or 4 people per room at peak capacity) and access to the whole house, including kitchen, outdoors, office, and two bathrooms. Meals are provided.
Bonus: My house now hosts the first convenience store in Kalavan. You won't have to drive back into town every time you want to buy simple ingredients, cigarettes, etc. It's small for now, but the inventory is always expanding.
What else ...
I can help arrange transportation in and out of the village as necessary as well as procuring any other comforts for living here. Most people hitchhike pretty easily from Dilijan, but a taxi can also be arranged for about 6000 dram ($15). We can pick you up if we happen to be in town on the day you arrive.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I was a digital nomad for many years and have traveled to more than 50 countries. My house has good wifi through Vivacell. There are occasionally short power outages during bad weather, but the wifi has a battery backup.
Space for parking camper vans
I have a long driveway and a gated area behind my house.
Can possibly accept pets
I have four cats and a friendly dog living in the house with me. As long as your pets are fine around other animals, they are welcome here.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (14)
I stayed 2 weeks in this lovely house, with good vibes, an international community, and a lot of interesting conversations.
Gregory is an interesting character, generous and let us to be autonomous.
Also, he will give you the best English lessons.
Thank… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
I stayed 2 weeks in this lovely house, with good vibes, an international community, and a lot of interesting conversations.
Gregory is an interesting character, generous and let us to be autonomous.
Also, he will give you the best English lessons.
Thank… read more
This place is located in a beautiful, small village surrounded by lots of nature. We hope to come back one… read more
This time was totally different cause i tried to use workaway program in a beautiful house on top of a green mountain with a unique view in a remote village that was surprisingly full of special things that i 've never experienced in all my life,
This… read more
It's a pretty remote house in the village of Kalavan, in a very peaceful and calm environment. The view you have from there is magnificent.
The place itself is a very nice and old house, spacious and authentic. We shared a spacious room with other workawayers.
Gregory is building up a hostel there and is very… read more
Gregory is everything but a dull guy, so you could discuss together excessively… read more
