...spinning into infinity. Hey, man. Hallelujah!

We bought a washing machine about a month ago, but I promptly broke it on the third round of clothes. I don't really know how much 7.8 kilograms is in laundry, but I know it's less than a wet, queen-sized blanket. Live and learn. Luckily, we were able to take it back to the store, get a back-dated warranty, and get it fixed it for free.

"So," you may ask. "Where and how do you buy a washing machine in Mongolia. What does a Mongolian washing machine look like?" And, "How do you use a washer in Mongolia?" Those are some very good questions. Thanks for maybe asking.

1. Find a Mongolian to take you to a reputable establishment and help you work out the details. For about $150 or a month's Peace Corps living allowance, you can get a pretty decent Korean one. Ask your Mongolian how to work it unless you can read Korean.
   
   
2. Drag your new machine into the toilet room and get ready for some fun!
   
3. Now, fill a bucket about 5 times.
   
4. While you're filling that bucket, plug in your washer around the corner into one of three outlets in your entire apartment. Make sure not to use any other appliance except maybe the fridge. Melting the wall socket gets a little smelly.
   
5. Dump in the soap and turn the far-left knob to the number 15. No need to read Korean, really.
   
6. Turn that knob on the far right to drain your dirty water into the toilet. When the washer is done draining, return the knob to its previous position or enjoy filling extra buckets of water for the impending rinse. Also, throw a rag over the hose so it doesn't viciously flail around like an angry, soapy viper.
   
7. It's time for the rinse. Fill your pretty pink bucket 4-5 times again. (Obsessively check that you closed that drain knob. Filling extra buckets is about as fun as watching a bucket fill with water.)
   
8. Good work on the drain knob and filling the washer part again. You're over half way there. Now, turn the far-left knob to about 6 this time for the rinse. (Close the lid on the washer. It's fun to peek for a picture, but it makes a mess.)
   
   
9. Now, this part should seem familiar: Drain the rinse water into the shelf toilet again. (No need close the drain knob this time.)
   
10. Now that you've washed and rinsed, arrange about half the load neatly around the outside of the spinner drum. An unbalanced load will mean disaster for the sweet, sweet centrifugal force needed to get your clothes nearly dry. Bumping and banging is bad. If you couldn't kill an astronaut in there, keep moving those clothes around until you get it just right. It's worth it.
    
11. Finally, after you've tediously gridded your extra bedroom with string (Boy Scout knot training preferred), hang your freshly cleaned and spin-dried clothes wherever there's a free spot, including on top of those pipes. Watch out for rust spots, though - no whites up there!
    
    

Congratulations! Pat yourself on the back and start on the second load. And remember that even though this process is a little tedious, it sure beats doing it by hand and you have running water.