Don't understand why you would have trouble with the Cyrillic alphabet. I am terrible at languages but I learned the alphabet easily. In a lot less than weeks. For heaven's sake, it's only 33 letters.

The difference between a village and a city in Russia is huge.

A city has paved streets, a village has not. And in Russia, unpaved means knee-deep mud.

The Russian ladies wear Wellingtons when walking to a wedding party. After entering the house, they pull off the boots and take on their high heels.

A Russian wedding party usually starts in the early afternoon and stretches for several hours.

You will be served at least half a dozen courses of food and vodka from the beginning.

There will be a master of cermonies who will lead through the program. You will find there are at least a dozen numbers where you are expected to give cash to the bridal couple. Be prepared.

E.g. in the beginning, the master of ceremonies will introduce every guest. You are expected to go to the stage, say a few friendly words and, more important, put a bill in a box.

Later, the guests are asked to dance with the bridal couple. Of course, you are expected to give some money to "buy" a dance. Etc.

>>Don't understand why you would have trouble with the Cyrillic alphabet. I am terrible at languages but I learned the alphabet easily. In a lot less than weeks. For heaven's sake, it's only 33 letters.<<

I agree. I am probably worse w/ languages than you are but I learned the Cyrillic alphabet pretty quickly. I definitely didn't 'speak' Russian but was able to pronounce places / ask directions etc.

KNNLE, be prepared for some racism. It is not overly aggressive or hostile, more ignorant. Russians are not friendly at first and they tend to judge people by the color of their skin, literally. However, if you can overcome this obstacle, you will be fine. The provinces are harder because people are even more ignorant and less sensitive than in Moscow or St. Pete on the issues of race.

If it;s a 2 hour flight from Moscow - and who knows how far the village is from the airport they may be telling you that it is not typically a place that gets foreigners and you may be a real curiosity. Also there may not be people with more than a few words of English.

We have traveled To St Pet (2) and Moscow (1) independently with no problems at all and loved them - but they have a quite complete tourist infrastructure and there are always people who speak english.

I would try to get some additional info from your DH friend - and then decide if this is really what you want to do.

>>You are totally dependent on a guide and translator. And this is exactly what your friends wants to provide for you. He knows why.<<



I would be totally put off by the 'secrecy'. Sure, he wants to provide support, translator, etc. But to not even tell you <i>where</i> this shindig is just seems really fishy to me.

(My brother lives in Russia and I do understand many of the potential 'issues' but still no reason that I can imagine to withhold important information)

If you follow the links I posted above, you will see that the information about your destination is required in order to apply for a visa, so there seems little point in withholding it. I would want assurances that the documentation will be forthcoming before investing in airline tickets. I might even want the visa.

Do not worry too much about racism problem. Russian people will be suspicious towards you, a little ignorant, you can meet some crazy person who will be rude (it is not common but can happen). But i don't think you will meet any real agression. Russian people have other thing to do. If you are kind and polite, then it will be fine. But if you try to be rude with locals - well, then something not too pleasant could happen...

As an advise, if you are afraid being lost - just write down your address in russian language on a piece of paper (or ask someone to help you). You can always show it to anybody on street and get help with directions. Russians are very helpful with it, do not afraid to approach for help. At least they just show with hand where to go.
If you study 3 words in russian, you will be Number 1 among locals.
good day
please
thanks

<People would be suppressed at how cosmopolitan the central Moscow is >

Not suppressed at all. LOL Russian cities are indeed very interesting and lovely. But it takes paper work to get there.
As for friendliness--we have found our Russian friends to be loyal to a fault. Caring. And incredibly generous with whatever they have.

When entering a home, chances are you're going to remove your shoes and be offered slippers.

Dear author,
I was born here and know the city very well. It is not less safe as London or New York. Russians got used to hearing English so all good. Moscow has changed a lot recently and looks really nice to visit if have never been here))))) To move around the city you can easily choose Uber which i guess you have in London as well))) Moscow has also become very gastronomic with lost of coolest restaurants everywhere - tell me which food you like will advise. Make sure you have a lovely walk from Tretyakovskaya Gallery to Patriarchy Bridge, enjoy the views from streak bar, see the Christ the Saviour Cathedral, was right towards the red square (Kremlin......hmmmm if you really like history a lot)))))))). On the second day you check the Patriarchie ponds area - lots of nice cafes and a pleasant area to walk. Let me know more about your interests and will be happy to give more advise))))
Anastasia