(photo from ericlambert.net)
Russians may not live in single family homes, but some own a dacha (дача)- similar to what Americans would consider a “summer home”, but much more common. Most of the people I knew in Russia either had their own dacha (primarily middle class), or knew someone else who did. There are some high-end expensive dachas near Moscow owned by the elite, but the standard dacha is a very basic wooden home, usually without heat (occasionally without indoor plumbing or electricity). Some dachas are brilliantly painted, others are just basic wood.
Russians sometimes visit their dachas on the weekend (particularly urban dwellers who are sick of Moscow’s rushed pace) or for longer periods of time over the summer. Many dachas have small gardens where they grow vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, radishes, beets) and fruit (berries and apples).
Visiting a dacha is an incredibly fun experience with a group of friends. Cooking (and eating) delicious шашлык (shashlik; shish-kebab) is usually on the docket, as is a bit of drinking and playing card games or games like Kartoshka. You might spend time picking berries or hunting (yes, hunting) mushrooms, depending on the season.
Some families will also build a banya (bathhouse) or sauna out at their dachas (more on banya later!); others have dachas near lakes for swimming. In general, going to the dacha is a time for relaxing and having fun in a nature-oriented environment.
