WHEN LITTLE THINGS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

The cabin crew had positioned themselves at the aircraft door to see the passengers off at the airport in Hyderabad, and as I neared it, one of them greeted me by name and handed me a slip of paper.

- SANDHYA MENDONCA

I unfolded it while wheeling my bag through the arrival lounge and was pleasantly surprised to find a sweet and whimsical handwritten note wishing me happiness. I'm not sure if it's Indigo's policy for the crew to give notes to passengers randomly or if this was a one-off.

I didn't feel I had done anything to merit it-I had exchanged only two sentences and smiles with the attendants during the 40-minute flight from Bangalore to Hyderabad. Whatever the reason, the unexpected message from the young woman immediately brought a smile to my face. The fact that it was handwritten made it even more special, and instantly lightened the load of stress I had carried with me.

Far from being pleasurable, travel has become fraught with anxiety. We spend long hours driving to the airport, only to be frustrated by the queues and the scramble for trays at security.

Gate changes, flight delays, cramped seats, and the occasional smack from a bulging backpack hardly make for an enjoyable experience. The stress began when I tried to check in online a day before my work trip to Hyderabad.