My first day in India turned into more of a rest and relaxation day after fatigue triggered the dreaded midday nap, likely messing up my sleep for the entire trip. But the day wasn’t entirely lost…
India 2026 Day 1 – Metro, Rest, Coffee, Taco Bell?
After weighting another Golden Triangle trip (Delhi – Agra – Jaipur), I decided to save that for when my wife and kids were along and instead just remain in Delhi for three nights, giving each of the city’s three Hyatt hotel properties a try. For my first night, I booked the Hyatt Centric in Janakpuri West, which was only $51/night.
Immigration at Delhi T3 could have been much worse, but it also wasn’t great. Of course I had prepared my visa in advance and I also pre-registered my fingerprints at a kiosk near my arrivals gate. But when I got up to the line I found out I needed to fill out an arrivals form and health declaration. That only took me a few minutes, but the immigration processing line moved at a snail pace. In my experience, Indian people tend to me friendly in general, but the immigration agents were all in a sour mood and a few them were just sitting around and talking instead of helping to process visitors.
But I made it…
For whatever reason, I felt the urge to take public transport after landing in Delhi. I resisted driving far longer than most and swore by public transport in my youth, but as I get older I tend to just use Uber or other ride shares…it’s just easier. In India, Uber is widespread and cheap…it really wasn’t a cost issue, but I just thought I’d try the Delhi Metro, which proved a little more dramatic than I thought.
From Terminal 3, I hopped on the Airport Line to Dwarka Sector 21, where I would have to make a connection to my final stop, which would be Janakpuri West. I had left my Indian rupees at home…foolishly….but tapped my credit card to pay for the segment.
However, when I got Dwarka Sector 21, I faced a dilemma: I entered the transfer area and approached the window to purchase a ticket (43 INR so less than .50 USD). The agent’s credit card reader did not work…and I had no cash and was boxed into an area with no exit (I used my first ticket to get in, but now could not get out).
I don’t get scared in situations like this…it’s not my first rodeo…but I was curious how I was going to solve it and set to downloading the Delhi Metro app on my phone in hopes of purchasing a ticket on my phone. Thankfully, the station attendant did not leave me hanging. He called a colleague who came over with a different credit card reader that thankfully worked…ticket issued and I was on my way.
It was a long journey and I was not impressed by the behavior on bed…a lot of loud people not using headphones, just like anywhere else in the world outside of Japan and Northern Europe. But eventually I made it to my hotel. Google Maps said take gate 3 out, but that was a mistake…. Gate 2 was right outside the hotel.
It was only 10:30 am and I figured my room might not be ready, but thankfully not only was it ready, but I was upgraded to an “Executive Suite” (which was not a suite in a traditional sense, but certainly a spacious room). I’m only a Discoverist these days, so I’ll take what I can get.
And then I made my mistake…fatigue had really set in and I figured I’d take a short nap and then get up work.
#FamousLastWords
I did set multiple alarms, but ended up sleeping for about four hours. Sure, it could have been worse – it was only mid-afternoon, but I pride myself in avoiding these sorts of things when I travel, which I find greatly exacerbate jet lag. Still half asleep, I hydrated and got some work done before heading out in search of coffee…I had not had any yet and it was now after 6:00 pm!
You might ask why I’d possibly want coffee if I was trying to adjust, but I suppose it’s like a cigarette…when you want one, you want one.
I found a place within walking distance of the hotel called Coffeegram that looked good…and it was. A very nice flat white.
While there, I decided to eat some protein and ordered some peri peri chicken, which was not very pretty, but did the job. I also had some beet juice, though when I saw it was served with ice cubes I drank it all in about 10 seconds before the ice could melt.
With my stomach full, I set off back to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, I got some work done and…ordered Taco Bell from a food delivery app called Swiggy (the most popular one, called Zomato, required an Indian number.
Taco Bell in India? But of course…I’m on a quest to sample Taco Bell in every nation. My cheese quesadilla and “protein bowl” hit the spot quite nicely.
By 11:30 pm local time I was in bed and managed to sleep until 5:00 am the next morning, so it seems my body did need the sleep!
Matt, I thoroughly enjoy that you actually ‘go-there.’ These are exactly the types of trips/reviews (and methods of getting there) that are so exciting to read, watch. Clearly, not ‘your first rodeo’ as you say. I also got a kick reading about “the behavior on bed” (sic) the Delhi metro, assuming you meant ‘on-board,’ but that was a pretty ‘fun’ typo, nonetheless. Hope your jetlag subsides quickly. Can’t wait for more posts!
Excellent trip report, Matt. It’s been years since I have been to Delhi, but planning to visit as a family the next time we are in India.
Discoverist? I guess you’re not traveling that much these days, though it appears otherwise.
As for TB in India, it’s been there for a long time. Back in the mid 2010s you could actually get refills on fountain drinks, which certainly isn’t typical in India.
Taco Bell in India is a great cross cultural experience. The next day you can have Delhi Belly and Montezuma’s revenge all at once.
Since you should not eat taco bell for a while in the states may as well have at!! Anyway you are their mascot