We all stayed in apartments of one or two bedrooms. Although you can see a variety of housing in Russia, it is very expensive and to move from one apartment to another can be very difficult. Despite the limited space, many families had pets. These included cats, dogs and a bird. Dogs could run lose in the town of PsKov.
Many families did not have cars. As there was excellent mass transportation it worked out fine. However, there did seem to be times when it was extremely helpful to have a friend with a car. Flagging down a car and offering the driver a sum of money to take you some place was also an option.
Several families had dachas. Dachas are houses in the country where they can raise vegetables and fruit during the two months of summer. The produce raised in the summer may keep them supplied for the whole year. They start their plants at home so that they will be able to get them to produce in the short amount of time. Dachas are a Russian tradition and range in size from a one room cabin to a large house complete with bathing pool and sauna.
