Dushanbe -- the grand and the ordinary

When people think of Dushanbe, they think of the flagpole (celebrating the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence), of Amir Ismail Samani (designated cultural progenitor, 892-907)..

 ...grand buildings...

... construction... snow-capped mountains

 ...and the poet Rudaki

But after all that grandness, we need some ordinary life too:

Waiting for a meal at a storefront cafe

Promoting a cell phone plan

Popcorn after school