ATLANTA, Georgia – I'm on may way to St-Paul, coming from Denver (in the western U.S.), via CNN headquarters in Atlanta (the southern U.S.) to the state of Minnesota (in the northern U.S.). My carbon footprint got bigger and dirtier this week, I'm afraid.

Sarah Palin is the wildcard in the U.S. election race.

From the vantage point of just a few weeks ago, we at CNN weren't sure how the Republican National Convention would compare to the excitement of the Democratic Party gathering.

Now, for reasons good and bad, I think it will be a lot more interesting. The good reason is that there is a very new face on the GOP ticket: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. As they say up in Anchorage - "America's coldest state, hottest governor." That's 'hot' in the sense of impressive and on the way up.

She may be the most popular unknown in American politics. But her days as an unknown are obviously over.

The other factor, the "bad" reason that so many people will be watching the Republicans closely, is of course Hurricane Gustav. John McCain is already changing his plans to visit the southern coast of the U.S. before Gustav gets there... How much will he have to change his convention?

A very interesting week ahead.

ATLANTA, Georgia - As a crowd of some 80,000 people listened to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's acceptance speech Thursday night at Invesco Field in Denver, hundreds more joined CNN to watch it all unfold thousands of miles away in the city that never sleeps - New York City.

An unconventional convention party in New York's Times Square.

It was a convention viewing party in Times Square that was anything but conventional. It definitely stopped some traffic-both pedestrian and the four-wheeled sort. CNN's Jim Acosta reported that he saw taxi cabs stopped in the intersection with passengers sticking their heads out of windows just to catch a glimpse of Obama's speech on CNN's big screen.

For a city accustomed to elaborately staged Broadway shows, it was a simple yet unconventional street performance. ... one that also held political and historical significance in the United States.

MOSCOW, Russia – Something strange and unexpected is happening in Russia. In the aftermath of the war across the border in Georgia, I am suddenly being granted access to the country's leadership. Remember, this is nation where Western journalists are barely given the time of day by the Kremlin. That is until now.

Matthew Chance interviews Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The call to interview Russian president Dmitry Medvedev came on Tuesday afternoon, out of the blue (although we of course have long standing requests in for a meeting). By Wednesday morning, we were on a two-hour flight from Moscow to the Black Sea city of Sochi, with an appointment to have a sit down, one-on-one, interview. We have never interviewed Medvedev since he was elected in March, so we jumped at the chance.

We were corralled into the Sochi press centre, told we had four hours to setup our gear, and would be granted seven minutes of the president's time.

As I struggled to decide which questions I should ask in such a short window, Medvedev appeared on Russian state television, somberly announcing his unexpected decision to recognize as independent states the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia - obscure territories which swept to prominence earlier this month when Russian and Georgia went to war over them. For a full transcript of the interview with Vladimir Putin, click here.

Minutes later, Medvedev was sitting in front of me, explaining why he had recognized them in the face of international, in particular American, opposition.

Okay, good day's work. But there was more: the phone rang and on the end of the line was Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin's press flak. The main man, Prime Minister Putin, wanted to give us an exclusive. A full-length, sitdown interview.

I should emphasize at this point how big this is for us. Vladimir Putin has virtually single-handedly transformed Russia into a powerful, confident, maybe even aggressive, state. He is a former KGB spy, and the former Russian president who eased his protege and hand-picked successor into the Kremlin job. He denies it, but word is he, not Medvedev, still calls the shots in Russia.

And what's more, he rarely gives interviews. Very rarely. CNN hasn't spoken to him for more than seven years. To get him now, at a time like this, when Russia is so prominent in the minds of Americans and the world, was incredible, fascinating.

And Putin doesn't disappoint. The guy is short, stocky, a KGB-trained judo black belt with a cold stare, and his critics would say, more than a little blood on his hands. He made Russia's ruthless crackdown on Chechen separatists into an almost personal vendetta.

CNN's Matthew Chance and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin are filmed during their recent interview.

He doesn't care for the U.S. much at the moment, either. One of the first things he told me is that he blames Washington for the war in Georgia - for actually orchestrating it to help a particular candidate in the presidential contest. He wouldn't say which one, but the Kremlin has been increasingly shifty about John McCain and what they see as his anti-Russian rants.

There was more, too - the stunning accusation that Americans helped Georgian forces fight the Russians this month. Apparently, some Russian soldiers found a US passport after wiping out some Georgian special forces unit in South Ossetia. What was he doing there? The White House insists Putin is talking rubbish.

But the next revelation is definitely true. As the world debates the possibility of economic sanctions on Russia, Russia has announced what amount to a few of its own on America: Putin says 19 US poultry exports have been found to be in breach of Russian health and safety standards and have been banned. Another 29 are on a watch list. No big deal, I suppose, but not great news in such an economic downturn.

Putin said it had nothing to do with the diplomatic tensions - but I'm not sure anyone entirely believes him.

Anyway, point is, things have changed - and here's why, from a source who knows: Putin was in Beijing watching the opening ceremony when the war in Georgia erupted. He was constantly watching CNN to see how the conflict was being reported. And he didn't like it. He hated it. He hated seeing Mikheil Saakashvili appealing for Western support, he hated that there was no one on TV putting across the Russian version of events.

Why was there no one? Because there is no access in Russia, we were not allowed to go to the Russian side of the conflict zone. No Russian officials were available to talk to us, as usual. Georgia played the media game, Russia did not.

A decision was taken then to change tack, to engage with the Western media, to aggressively argue Russia's side. The Kremlin, which constantly complains of a bad press, could have learned this lesson years ago. But hopefully they see the value of us now. Doesn't mean we agree with them, or that appearing on CNN will convert the West to Russia's line.

But at least they are in the debate now - and that can't be bad for Russia

BIHAR, India — We're stuck. The bridge ahead is bursting with water. Just a few hours ago the bridge was perfectly dry, according to the Indian Army commander we are traveling with.

Flooding has decimated northern India.

We are trying to get to the worst hit area, Birpur, on the border of India and Nepal.

It is the exact place where the Kosi river has changed course after a huge breach in a dam in Nepal.

People are panicking. They rush the army as they try to get over the bridge. Soldiers push the crowds back but a few break free. They are trying to save their homes.

I am standing in knee deep water. The water has risen from my shins to my knees in a matter of a few minutes.

Everyone's nerves are rattled.

Mothers are crying, their children stunned, their fathers are carrying bags and chests filled with their belongings.

They are pouring off a rescue boat.

This is awful. All these people have nowhere to go.

What can I do? I feel like a complete jerk. I am here to cover Bihar's worst flood in 50 years but I want to stop and join relief efforts.

A soldier suddenly hands me a baby. I pass him on to his big sister waiting on dry land. I can't do enough. I am a journalist. I know what my job description is but I am torn. However, I am writing this so obviously I have made my choice.

DENVER, Colorado - Is making history enough to make you president? Is great oratory proof to American voters of great leadership?

That is the question the Democrats face as they bring their convention to a close. Last night, Barack Obama made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention culminating an exciting, emotional vote which made him the first African-American presidential nominee of one of America's major political parties. Bill Clinton and vice presidential nominee Joe Biden both gave strong speeches on his behalf, implicitly moving the Democrats beyond the "Hillary's Hard Feelings" stage of the campaign. And in a few hours, of course, Obama will formally accept his party's nomination with a speech to a crowd of 75,000.

The Democrats are running a dramatic and stirring convention. All the major speeches have been memorable. Obama's will probably be too. Is it enough to stop his slide in the polls? Or will the American people decide that the Democrats are the ones who can talk, the Republican the ones who can govern? The Democrats have done brilliantly on TV.

As I watch Obama's speech, my mind will be on all the other who are watching at home or doing something else entirely. They are what all of this has been about.

The worst flooding in decades has devastated much of the state of Bihar.

Sorrow is everywhere. A village is just ahead. You can see the tops of some homes while others are hidden beneath the rising water. People are begging for us to stop and help them.

We're stopping.

There is only enough room for 80 people on this boat. There are more than 150 waiting. It's heartbreaking. People are piling on now. It's too much and the army major screams for them to stop or the boat will sink.

Finally dozens of children, mothers, fathers, and grandparents get aboard. Some are crying, others stone faced. Everyone is hungry and tired.

One woman tells me she has nothing left. She has no idea where she will go and how she will feed her little girl. Her husband stuck in another village that is flooded.

The boat is taking on a little water. The army is discussing going back and dropping off a few people but decide against it. Slowly in the strong current of the Kosi river we can see land.

This river has taken these villagers by surprise. An embankment that broke sent such a massive deluge of water it actually changed the course of the river.

We are back on land. People scurry off. We stay behind.

The next mission is in a half hour.

DENVER, Colorado - I've been working in the news business for 10 years, and in that time I've come to learn that some of the most amazing moments you experience come when you least expect it or simply via luck.

Today, I had shared in one of those experiences.

I was able to secure three passes for myself, reporter Isha Sesay, and photographer Stuart Clark to get onto to the floor of the Pepsi Arena here in Denver as the Democratic Party tallied up the votes for their presidential nominee. We were able to get the temporary passes for a half hour, and we had no idea what we'd actually find once we got in.

What we got was the ability to witness history.

As we elbowed our way through the tunnel under the arena and made our way into the crowd, you could feel the momentum building. Out we walked into the Pepsi Center and the place was going nuts. Each state was pledging their delegates. Washington. New Jersey. New Mexico. Illinois.

And then came New York. We had run into Governor David Patterson and Senator Chuck Schumer in the hallway leading into the arena, but there was no sign of Senator Hillary Clinton. When she came through, and her push through the crowd appeared on the large screens adorning the stage, the place turned into a madhouse.

Senator Clinton, clearly moved by the moment, effectively handed over all of her delegates to Senator Barack Obama. And with that, Senator Obama turned into the official Nominee of the Democratic Party.

The screaming and cheering was deafening. Senator Clinton appeared to be wiping back tears. Senator Nancy Pelosi, moderating on stage, asked for the crowd's seconding of the nomination. A roar burst through the roof. The O'Jays "Love Train" blared through the speakers and the crowd started swaying and dancing. This certainly looked like the unity that Democrats have been searching for, even if problems rumble below the Party's surface.

We saw one black man openly weeping. When asked why he said: "You hope, but I never thought I'd see this day come."

DENVER, Colorado – The Democratic Convention is unfolding in an impressive venue – a sports arena refitted with a dazzling electronic backdrop and stage.Where we work is a little more modest.

Jonathan Mann and Sen. Evan Byah (left and center) find a bit of space in the CNN box.

We're in a 'box' – a space that is normally used to seat small groups and parties.

It's been turned into a cramped TV newsroom, with computers, cables and scrap paper littering the floor.

We broadcast from the front of the box, where the best seats would be.

Our CNN International 'box' position puts us shoulder to shoulder with correspondents from other CNN networks, like CNN.Com, CNN Espanol and the like.

It's sometimes more like a crowded subway car than a TV studio, but it's all part of the convention ambience.

DENVER, Colorado – High up in the Mile High city as Denver is known the air is thick with political excitement.As part of two teams covering the Convention, we've been running around, like our hair's on fire!

Isha Sesay heard the speech despite the best efforts of the Secret Service and a bus driver.

With approximately 20,000 people swarming around, the biggest issue is crowds and security.

Last night, ahead of Hillary Clinton's speech the line of people snaked round the Pepsi centre venue.

We arrived at around 7 p.m., expecting to use a special media line and we're told, quite simply, "no" by the Secret Service.

With our live shot times rapidly approaching, the tension was mounting and just as I was about to start pulling out my hair, a couple of large coaches pulled up.

The plan? Bus some of the crowd to another entrance.

Imagine my horror, when we got on the bus and found out from the driver she had no idea where she was going!

After a few heartstopping minutes, a wrong turn, and a u-turn in the middle of the road, we finally made it!

When the buses stopped, I felt like I was in some kind of race, as people ran for the entrance, all of us with one goal in mind – to make it into the building before Hillary Clinton took the stage.

We got there with just a few minutes to spare. but it was chaotic and tight. Had anything else gone wrong, we would have have missed the big speech.

DENVER, Colorado – The Democrats' gathering in Denver this week isn't only about politicians' speeches, policy debates, and political protests.There is also plenty of meeting, greeting - and eating - going on behind the scenes.

You've seen CNN anchors and political analysts reporting from the CNN Grill during our live coverage of the convention.

Off camera, some other well known celebrities from film, music and sports are being spotted too.

How many of them do you recognize?