Gordon Brown landed safely in the US yesterday afternoon ahead of Saturday's G20 summit of world leaders where - in his newfound role as global saviour - he will lecture everyone about the need to cut taxes in the recession (the so-called "fiscal stimulus") and urge them to send more UN troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More about those very serious issues over the coming 48 hours.
On a more life-enhancing note, one of the most striking things about this trip, so far, has been the laidback nature of it all. The previously so tense PM seemed genuinely at ease with himself as he chatted to journalists on the plane. Tired, yes, but truly at peace, as he grappled with the great issues facing the world.
He engaged with our annoying questions and actually answered them - a first in my experience after 18 years of following him.
But not just that: the prime minister is taking his time, going at his own very agreeable pace. In New York, he is taking in visits to Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, and to some old economist buddies. But not that much else.
We leave for Washington at a very civilised hour today, where Brown has a comfortable day of bilaterals and then dinner with the outgoing president, George Bush. It was never like this with Blair. Then it was all 4am starts and crowded schedules and bad tempers.
On this Brown trip it is different. He really does seemed to have changed: and to have heeded the advice of those who said "enjoy it while it lasts".
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