Confused by similarity?

Presently three persons, the newly added Maria, "Girl Friday" Olesya, and I, the famous Uncle Pasha who stirred up it all, appear to be doing the same thing: room and apartment rental plus a range of traveller and business support services.

Although our lists of services may look similar, in most cases you should have no difficulty selecting your support person. Let me explain the difference in style and approach and specialization to help you chose.

Maria, my latest addition to the list of Moscow rooms and homestays, in addition to providing an inexpensive place to stay - mind you not exactly a short walk from Red Square - will act as your charming and sociable guide. Think of her as a friend for rent - except her friendliness if of the authentic sort. Young single pleasure travellers on a budget are her crowd.

Olesya, who budded out of my operation over a year ago and took with her the "errands big and small" and "business services" chunk, stands out for her thoroughness and precision. Searching for information, compiling bibliography, or putting together itineraries and schedules are her thing. Olesya will make arrangements with other landlords and hosts on your behalf, for a small fee from you and/or more than a reasonable commission from landlords. I am hearing positive feedback from Russian bride seekers who used Olesya's services. Proceed to www.russiangirlfriday.com, which is now entirely hers, and see what she can do for you. Olesya is largely responsible for coordinating my team of drivers. Socialization and smiling, Red Square / Kremlin / Armory routine, and other standard stuff is NOT her thing however. She will act as guide but no, she is not a people's person. Please note her Tomsk origins and general knowledge of things Siberian. Once is a while she is able to accept homestay guest at $15-20 per night.

Please note Olesya's Accommodation Search Assistance. She will make a round of calls on your behalf and advise you on the pros and cons of the available options. Average time spent per request is 1 hour. $25 is the customary fee for the service. Check out her site www.russiangirlfriday.com

Having given little things to Maria, Olesya, Slava &Co, and others, I concentrate on site maintenance and keeping up correspondence that at the end generates work for a bunch of people here and, more importantly, provides solutions to our clients. As an owner of a twisted and perverse mind I still may get involved in cases where the solution is not immediately obvious. Talk to me if normal procedures do not seem to work. Writing power letters that get things moving, searching for people, initiating legal action, or even simple bribing are examples of my "specialization".  I'm a good person to talk to if what you need seems to even evade formulation.  I am happy, however, just to rent you may apartment or a part thereof in the very center of Moscow, or to see you at my dacha near Staritsa, Tver region, on the Volga, where horse riding is the main attraction. Occasionally I'm available as a driver, especially if you travel out of town or need support and assistance in addition to transportation. Geographically, my specialization is Tver and anything between Moscow and St. Petersburg. My interests may also be turning towards Moldova and everything between Moscow and Chisinau and of course Tiraspol, the source of the best brandy in the ex-Soviet space. Speaking of which, I'm also to be contacted re: sins and vices, and don't be afraid that I will be shocked or offended.

Makes sense? Then go back to one of the specialized sites, eg. www.cheap-moscow.com, www.moscowdrivers.net, www.staritsa.info, www.russian-horse-rides.com, www.russiangirlfriday.com, or www.marisha.net 

Or, if you insist on seeing the total picture, proceed to the Main Index Page.

Pasha