Well we just arrived in St. Petersburg two days ago (today the 21st is our second full day). I am amazed at how different it is from Moscow. Polar opposites. In Moscow one could definitely see the soviet influence. Incongruity of buildings of different time periods was also evident in the wide range of design and artistic styles. The skyline looked like a game of tetris, no two buildings were of similar height, color, or design. In contrast, European influence and city regulations on building are noticeable in the height uniformity and similarities in design of many buildings. Whereas Moscow struck awe in you with the sometimes frightening buildings of the stalin era and somewhat cold feeling that eminated from the buidings, Petersburg is a city that impresses you with the beauty of the wide winding boulevards and European artistic influence. To me St. Petersburg is a more inviting city simply because it is less foreign to me (Moscow is truly like any other city I have ever been to). However, I feel that if you really want to experience Russia, and feel the history that is there in architecture and personality of the population, you need to visit Moscow. I am hesitant to say it but St. Petersburg seems almost like a mask put on for tourists to hide what Russia really is. This is easy to see in the amount of english spoken in Petersburg versus Moscow. Truly if you want to see what I felt was more representative Russia (not in a bad way, just different) then you have to visit Moscow.
Theater here is amazing. It is such a cultural experience. There is not really an American institution to which I can compare Russian theatre. It is somewhat like what movie theaters are to us, but even more important. They are an educational tool here, and something used to voice opinions, ideas, and commentary. The development of theater into an educator and tool of commentary is likely the result of Russias long history of censorship and repression of challenging ideas. Theatre in Russia is truly a lasting impression of Russias past. It is quite an amazing thing to see a Russian theatre performance.