Ruslan, as I mentioned, seemed to have a lifestyle that was a bit above your average train carriage guard and his large and well built home was evidence of that. I was particularly interested in the generally minimalist nature of the place and how the large bright spaces with choice details made the place feel modern, and yet certain elements we take for granted in the West were far from my understanding of modern. It definitely reflected a different way of life to where I come from.
I include this photo primarily for the evidence at the right side of the almost floor to ceiling pile of soft mattresses available for guests to recline on at social functions... presumably held here:
The main 'lounge' and my bedroom for the night. Ruslan & his youngest sister have rooms off this one.
Ruslan's mum lives in this 'wing'. The main part of the house is on the left.
A continuation of the concrete with a herb, fruit and veg garden behind. Anywhere on the concrete terrace could become a table with the placement of a matt and there always seemed to be some invaluable shade provided by one wall or another throughout the day and so it was the main social space.
Outhouse at the end of the garden houses, amongst other things, the pit toilet – simply a wooden floored room with a floorboard taken out for the hole. I was surprised at how clean it felt as I've seen plenty of worse setups with ceramics and piped water. With no door and a window opening, there was plenty of air flowing through making it near odour free.... but I never did quite understand how you were to know if someone else was already using it without them whistling, singing or talking or something! Fortunately I never had the awkward situation of walking in on anyone, or anyone walking in on me!
The bucket shower cubicle. I really enjoyed this! When the weather is so hot, an outdoor bucket wash is great!
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