Gift for a host I will be going to Russia in the summer. I will be staying at two different homes with two different hosts (one in St Petersburg the other in Moscow). I will be paying to stay at their homes but I wanted to give each host a gift. What is a typical gift? Or what will be a good gift to give. My first hosts are a married couple maybe 40 years old. My second host is a woman also around 40 years old. Any suggestions are welcome.

Russian housing options... I'm writing a paper on housing in Russia for my beginners Russian course so if you don't mind answering my little survey. Where do most Russians live? Private Apartment, Communal Apartment, Dormitory, Private House or other? City, suburb or countryside? Do most Russians have summer homes away from the city? How is personal space viewed? Is there personal space? How many people or family members live in the same space (house, apartment, etc.)? Do children usually have their own rooms or do they share with siblings or other relative(s)? What is the typical layout for a house, apartment, etc. How common are communal apartments today?Answer from your own experience and/ or knowledge.

What are the best books for learning japanese I would like to start learning Japanese later in the year and I was thinking about buying the textbook that my local community college uses for beginners level Japanese classes. its called Genki 1 (9784789014403) it comes with 1 audio cd and I could get a workbook if I pay a little bit more. compared to other language books (for French or Spanish) I think its actually a bargain. However, what books would you recommend I look at for comparison?

Where can I find lyrics to Russian songs online? My tutor recommended I start listening to Russian music and watching Russian movies. I've been listening to music but I want to be able to see the words, how they're spelled and be able to see/hear how they are being pronounced. So if you know any websites that have lyrics to Russian songs please provide a link(s).

what are good/popular russian singers? I've listened to Bianka and Olya Polyakova. I know its a matter of taste but are they good singers? Popular? Who do you like listening to?

where can i find a russian dictionary online? I have found a lot of english/russian dictionaries online but I would like a Russian only dictionary. One that a high school or university student would use in Russia.