"To holiday or not to holiday..."

Probably because we are new in Mali, we are flabbergasted about the local traditions. We knew that it was the end of the Ramadan yesterday and today is a holiday, what we didn't know was  that in Mali determining the end of the Ramadan is not that simple. The Grand Mufti must actually SEE the Moon before deciding about the end. 

There is something that I should tell you; right now it's the rainy season in Mali and a clear sky is very rear. So, if because of the clouds, the Grand Mufti will not see the Moon, there will be no holiday tomorrow. And the Grand Mufti's decision will be followed by an administrative decision about an eventual second day of holiday, depending on ... (the Moon, I guess). So, forget about planning a long weekend...

Yesterday (cloudy day) at 9.30 pm nobody yet could tell if today (Thursday) will be a holiday or not. At 11 pm was still only "probably not". So this morning we wake up, my husband is getting ready for work, usual routine, till the moment that we see that our driver didn't show up. We ask the guard (there is one 24 hours) who tells us that at 3.30 am this morning the decision for ending the Ramadan was taken and today is a holiday. We wish him "Happy Ramadan" and ask if it will be 1 or 2 days of holiday. "We don't know that yet, - he says - it will only be decided today". 

So hear we are, Thursday evening 11 pm, not knowing if tomorrow will be a working day or not. I wonder if the administration is out on a balcony with binoculars, hunting for the Moon before taking the decision?! Nobody can tell if, for example, tomorrow an embassy with 50 employees will have a normal working day or a holiday like today!!! How exciting... 
...
And the confirmation came at 1.30 am: Friday IS a holiday! :-))