March 2025. A photo appeared from nowhere in my gallery, stopping me in my tracks. It was just an airport banner—one of the many you pass by, barely registering. But this one lingered. Lufthansa. Terminal 2, Munich Airport. “Every story ever told started with a yes.” Fourteen words, and suddenly, I was no longer where I stood. I was back in March 2024, navigating an intense, fast-paced business trip to Himenkirch, Germany—meeting stakeholders, finalizing deals, making decisions. Yet, amidst all this, I found time to say yes to the moments that now refuse to fade.
March 2024. A three-day business trip, packed to the brim. Every minute accounted for, every meeting purposeful. But beyond the packed schedule, beyond the negotiations and strategy sessions, there was something more. Not distractions, not diversions—just the richness of saying yes to experiences that added depth to the journey. Because in life, the moments that matter are not interruptions; they are the ones we make space for when we recognize their worth.
Saying Yes to Experiences
I could have just flown in, completed my meetings, and returned. Instead, I maximized every opportunity—not just for business, but for connections, for insight, for a deeper understanding of the world I was in. I said yes to long drives through winding roads, yes to toasting with new friends over hearty German meals, yes to stepping into places where tradition and craftsmanship spoke louder than words. Each experience didn’t take time away from my purpose; it enriched it.
One such experience took me to a cheese factory in Schongau, where I witnessed the delicate art of traditional cheese-making. The aroma of aged cheese, the passion of the artisans, and the richness of flavors were a sensory delight. It was a world where patience and craftsmanship turned milk into something extraordinary, a reminder that great things take time—just like relationships, trust, and success in business.
My stay at Hotel Tannenhof was nothing short of magical. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, the view from my window each morning was breathtaking—majestic peaks, kissed by the first light of dawn, standing as silent sentinels of time. It was a moment of quiet reflection, an opportunity to absorb the beauty around me before the day’s intensity resumed.
One particularly memorable afternoon took me to Isny im Allgäu. The sky hung heavy with clouds, the cold air crisp against my skin as we sat down for lunch in a charming little café. It was the kind of weather that makes a warm meal taste even better, where conversations flow easily, and where discussions—both professional and personal—carry a warmth of their own.
Later that evening, dinner awaited in Argenbühl-Eglofs, a picturesque village that seemed untouched by time. The drive along the foothills of the Alps was surreal—rolling meadows, winding roads, and the distant silhouette of the mountains. It was not time wasted; it was time well-spent, reinforcing relationships, building trust, and broadening perspectives.
The Power of Yes
Think about it. Every business deal, every innovation, every leadership decision starts with a yes. The courage to embrace the unknown, to welcome possibilities, to step beyond comfort zones. A single yes can change the course of a career, a company, an industry. This is what Lufthansa’s slogan so beautifully captures.
Lufthansa itself is a brand that thrives on yes. Yes to connecting people. Yes to creating seamless travel experiences. Yes to embracing change and innovation. Their campaigns, masterfully crafted by creative agencies that understand the emotion behind travel, resonate deeply. This particular one, in its simplicity, struck a chord with every traveler passing through that terminal. Because travel, at its core, is about saying yes—to new places, new cultures, new perspectives.
Friendship, Travel, and the Stories We Write
One of the highlights of my trip was the time spent with friends—PS, SS, JS, JR, and a few others – I will withhold full names for the sake of confidentiality. These weren’t just professional connections; they were people who made the journey richer with their camaraderie, insights, and shared laughter. Over dinners and long drives, we spoke about business, life, and the experiences that shape us. The warmth of these conversations, the exchange of ideas, and the bonds formed over shared moments are what truly make travel worthwhile.
Vanessa Eyth, our cab driver, made a super impression on me. A postgraduate student, she drove part-time to fund her studies. Her story was one of resilience and determination, of working hard today for a better tomorrow. In her own way, she, too, had said yes—to dreams, to perseverance, to the journey ahead.
As I boarded my flight back to Mumbai, I reflected on the friendships formed over those three days. The laughter shared over glasses of Weissbier, the camaraderie built through mutual respect and genuine conversations. These weren’t just business interactions; they were relationships that added depth to both professional and personal life.
This trip was a reminder that life is a collection of stories, each beginning with a choice. A choice to explore, to trust, to embrace the unfamiliar. And in the grand tapestry of life, it is the yeses that make all the difference.
So here’s to more yeses. To more journeys, more friendships, more stories worth telling.
Because every story ever told started with a yes.
