Alone travel can feel disorienting, especially when you’re in a foreign country. But for Meike Hijman, a Dutch solo traveller, her trip through Haryana ended up a story of generosity, trust and cultural understanding. Initially a simple request for a space to set up her tent, it became a memorable visit and experience of Indian hospitality.
Meike was visiting rural Haryana when she spotted an old Indian woman working in her fields. Not wanting to share space for long, but hoping to have a safe night somewhere, she asked whether she could pitch her tent. The woman didn’t know English, so she called her son, Tushar Gujjar, to assist. Rather than simply accepting her permission, the family did something else. They invited Meike in to their home, served her food, offered her tea and shelter, took real care of her.
This small but powerful gesture is an expression of the deeply ingrained cultural custom of India – Atithi Devo Bhava, which means “Guest is God.” It is a heritage passed down across generations that tells people to be able to greet strangers freely, and with respect. For Meike, the idea of this was more than a safe space to do business there — it was a shared moment of interconnectedness.
The family’s generosity reflected how not all hospitality in India is in hotels and cities. Even in places that have few resources, the people open their homes and hearts to the visitors. Meike felt warm at being treated as family, even though she was far away from her own home. Such are the kindnesses of human intimacy that transcend language, nationality, or locale.
A good many such stories bring home that travel is not just about places in the world and so forth. The generosity that Meike received brought greater depth to her trip in Haryana. For the Gujjar family, it was an opportunity not only they could display their own spirit and values but also show the world what Indian hospitality really means.
In an age that often seems more of divisions at odds than similarities, this simple move speaks volumes about how much a person is stronger when we care for others. Meike's experience shows that strangers can be friends, and homes can be opened to those who need them most.
