A big name visitor in Dushanbe

Russia's President Putin was scheduled to visit Dushanbe this evening. What a hoopla along Rudaki Boulevard all day long! Signs, slogans, banners, and flags went up this morning.

Officers and plainclothesmen were stationed every 20 yards.

There were expressions of friendship...

and pledges of brotherhood.

We never did see the motorcade. Maybe we missed it. Maybe he signed those agreements at the airport. I hope all the people who worked so hard for the spectacle didn't feel it was in vain. At least the officers had a beautiful day in which to stand around.