BBC: Westbank to Reopen

There I am, sitting in Helsinki watching one of the few TV channels I can understand nd they announce the Westbank will be reopened within a week. Also Algiers has been cleared for reopening too.Now that is really interesting news. This is on BBC World Report, their international broadcast. At the same time Israelis are pulling out of Gaza and the West Bank after 38 years. Now why do I feel confused?I remember being a schoolboy and overhearing the nightly news that something terrible was going on on the Westbank. I was never sure if that meant that Gretna was attacking Algiers or what. Even news about Algiers over the decades had me wondering if everything was OK at home.It is strange watching news about my hometown in such detail across the world in a very different setting. I still have not watched any news broadcasting from New Orleans except a few "Week in Review" shows. I was listening to some music I had on my portable radio when Connick, Jr's "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans" came on. I cried.When I see those pictures of my hometown and all the destruction and loss I really am at a loss for words. It takes me a long time before I can write these entries in my blog. But I want to put my thoughts down somewhere. It is very encouraging to hear announcements of the "Great Recovery" which is planned for the Gulf region. I really hope that many people will be able to rebuild their lives and carry on enjoying a wonderful life in a wonderful part of the US. For many though, they have lost too much and will not return. For them I am saddened.New Orleans was and will always be a special place with a special history. I look forward to watching its "rebirth". And that reminds me of another Jazz Band.....Sure, the Westbank and Algiers are in better shape; on both sides of the globe.