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I flew to Bagdogra today and decided to treat myself to a first-class upgrade, not because I'm a big baller, because I could. It was just five hundred rupees, about seven dollars - not too hard on the pocketbook. 

A man in traditional Indian dress was sitting across the aisle. I had no idea he was important until we landed, and he was immediately surrounded by a swarm of men with big guns. They promptly shoved me aside, like the peasant I am. A huge welcoming crew began adorning him with flower necklaces. Paparazzi were snapping photos. A ten-car motorcade whisked him away.  Someone whispered to me that he was a prominent politician. All this fanfare in Bagdogra of all places. Who knew? I thought it was a quiet mountain town. 

Then, upon arriving at the hotel, I encountered another unusual scene. A man, clearly someone important, was at the front desk with a satchel of bills, handing stack after stack to the clerk, who sent them through the money counter. I guess she was putting them in the safe... I don't know. It felt like I had stepped into some Bollywood movie. Who carries that much cash around anyway?​ Again, I thought this was a quiet mountain town.

Did I mentioned he was surrounded by bodyguards? They were at least three deep.

But let's talk about the weather. It's amazing here and a far cry from the stifling heat of South India and Rajasthan. I was thrilled when I stepped off the plane (it's the old-school style stair exit here) and felt a cool rain on my skin. A gentle breeze was blowing. Dusk was approaching.  The world was perfect.

Then I got kicked to the curb to make room for the politician, but no matter. He's important; I'm not. It's been that way since the pharos. 

Tonight, I walked down the alley adjacent to the hotel past all the street stalls. It was bustling with activity. People and vehicles merged together in a unified whole as only they do in India.

The merchants manned their stalls, soliciting business from passers-by. A crowd of men had formed at the local outdoor bar. Cows were omnipresent - they're always omnipresent. Children and mother's walked hand-in-hand, as they always have. 

I trudged on, dodging puddles, potholes, and traffic.

There's not much better than a balmy night. All is right with the world.

Come to find out the man on the plane was Narenda Modi, the prime minister of India..

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