Burma or the government's new name, Myanmar is forging its way forward into the Western world, but things are slow on some fronts. Social networking is one.

I can't get onto my Yahoo account nor on my gmail account, but I can post this blog. Strange! I also can't get onto my Facebook account.

Internet access is quite slow and unreliable, but at least I can find out what is going on in the world such as the recent bombing in Bangkok (where I will be in three days) and the fact that icon Whitney Houston has passed.

I do have access to CNN international, RT (Russian TV), the BBC (God awful boring) and old, old, old G rated HBO movies via satellite in my hotel room.

While most locals don't have running water or electricity, nor adequate housing, life for the tourist isn't all that bad, unless of course you are addicted to social networking, which I am thankfully not.

P. S. Hi Mom, Everything is okay.