Originally Posted by
kamel123
On the other hand, Hermitage is completely overrun with tourists. We did expect crowds, and we had booked our tickets beforehand, but it was simply unbearable (worse than Louvre or Uffizi or any other museum I have visited before). Large groups with very loud guides.
Therefore one could skip the Hermitage and head for the Russian Museum. While the Hermitage is a world class institution, the treasures there are mostly "universal", while the collection at the Russian Museum is, well, Russian art centered. When in Rome, ehm Russia...
I don't find Moscow more intimidating than SPb, probably speaking Russian helps a lot. Very different cities, though - both in architecture and spirit.
You can struck amazing aquintances there - witness the two teenage boys who were peacefully drinking their beers in the Potriarshiye Prudy park (appropriately wearing black cat T-shirts ^) and when strucking a conversation with them they give off a well rounded discussion on the works of Bulgakov, where his museum is situated as opposed to his flat. Only in Russia. ^