This is the other side of the roundabout. I went a lot earlier as last time it was too dark to see the minaret of the mosque.
Looking along the street you see the screens behind the light-bows. The screens have been there since we moved here in August 2019 blocking the view of the building activities for a new shopping mall. The mall should have been finished last March, but it got some delays due to Covid-19.
Although the red and green lights look like Christmas decorations, it will all be gone before Christmas. Today was Oman National Day and red, white and green are the colors of the Omani flag.
Many people thought the holidays (days off school and work) would be today and tomorrow and booked nights in hotels, but last week the government announced that the holiday would be next week on the 25th and 26th...
@casablanca@wakelys It is very interesting to live in Oman and learn how holidays work here...
Most holidays are announced very late her because they are linked to the moon and although science has it all covered, I got the impression that somebody still needs to physically look at the moon...
Actually, they only need a few hours to close most of the country. On the 29th of September Demyan (17) announced around 8pm very happy that school would be cancelled due to the dead of the Emir of Kuwait. My husband and I laughed, but social media was fast and correct. The official emails from school and my husband's office came around 10pm.
The next day all schools and offices were closed in Oman because of a 3 day mourning period (day 2 and 3 were weekend).
Although National Day is on a fixed date (the 18th of November), in the past the day off was never given on the 18th. This way everybody was able to celebrate the special day in school or at work.
However, because we have a new Sultan, celebrations are not normal due to Covid-19 and because it lined up perfectly with the weekend, people assumed that it would be on the 18th and 19th.
The government announced a long time ago that we would get 2 days off, but only last week the official dates were communicated, maybe be to show their power, or they have been busy with other things.
@ingrid01 Absolutely fascinating to read this, thank you for explaining it. I have always enjoyed it when we have lived in another culture because there is so much that is different to learn.
Most holidays are announced very late her because they are linked to the moon and although science has it all covered, I got the impression that somebody still needs to physically look at the moon...
Actually, they only need a few hours to close most of the country. On the 29th of September Demyan (17) announced around 8pm very happy that school would be cancelled due to the dead of the Emir of Kuwait. My husband and I laughed, but social media was fast and correct. The official emails from school and my husband's office came around 10pm.
The next day all schools and offices were closed in Oman because of a 3 day mourning period (day 2 and 3 were weekend).
Although National Day is on a fixed date (the 18th of November), in the past the day off was never given on the 18th. This way everybody was able to celebrate the special day in school or at work.
However, because we have a new Sultan, celebrations are not normal due to Covid-19 and because it lined up perfectly with the weekend, people assumed that it would be on the 18th and 19th.
The government announced a long time ago that we would get 2 days off, but only last week the official dates were communicated, maybe be to show their power, or they have been busy with other things.
Interesting reading in your reply to @casablanca @wakelys too