Take a look at
Maria's Room for Rent and and an array of traveller support services in Moscow

A sign on the door of the local cafe translated verbatim:

We accept
orders for
the preparation
of cakes,
culinary dishes and snacks,
applications for
conducting
marriage and
important
evenings,
and also:
sharpening
of knives,
axes,
shovels

This sign may serve as an illustration of the Russian mental set. Psychiatrists of the Freudian school may also appreciate this advertisement.

Russian equivalent of Western saddle this "Cossack" horse-to-majn interface. Clumsy and heavy but inexpensive, comfortable, and the seat can be taken off to make a pillow.

This is me giving my "now what the.." look

Me again, demonstrating the Russian peasant manner of wearing a a floppy-eared hat.

Want to look like a local when you step off the airplane? For a small fee I'll send you a collective farm worker's outfit, soaked in manure for the ultimate in credibility.

Glasha too can play tricks with her ears.