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ottled water. We had an entire meal, and it was delicious and filling.Once we finished our meal and walked towards the second exit, we were instructed to put all our luggage through a security scanner. Again, it was fast and smooth.<h2 id="901c">The adventure begins</h2>Outside of the airport was a different experience. Like many countries I have visited outside the US, there were hustling cab drivers everywhere. They surrounded us and tried to get us to take a ride.I attempted to get an Uber, but ride shares are only permitted in a designated parking lot. This made it impossible to locate my driver, so I had to take a local cab. Many cab drivers will match Uber (so the price was not an issue).<blockquote id="37e7">Note — Uber/Taxis range from 300 to 500 INR (around $4 to$ 6). Many of my taxi rides were around 7 km (4.3 miles); taxis are affordable. In the States, I would pay 5 times that amount for the same distance. Taxi/Uber are cash only.</blockquote>Be aware — once you are in the cab, some drivers (both of my drivers tried) will attempt to redirect you to a hotel and promise a discount. Do not fall for this scam. The drivers work with the hotel owner, and the hotels are usually in bad neighborhoods.<h2 id="eadb">Lots of blaring horns/heat</h2>I was amazed at how much Indians use their horns. Expect to hear horns constantly! I studied the driver and realized they use their horns to communicate their direction to other drivers. There were a few stop lights, but no other rules of the road.It was hot when I arrived in Delhi. Nearly 100 degrees (or 38 degrees Celsius), but luckily it was a dry heat.Most establishments I visited had air conditioning, so it was not an issue. The only place that did not have air conditioning was the bus station (I was sweating buckets).<h2 id="34a4">My hotel experience</h2>I spent one night at the Radisson Blu New Delhi Airport. Once you arrive, you are required to go through security. All hotels (Hilton, Hyatt, etc.) in that area had the same process.This was a different experience, but I felt safe and secure.I arrived at the front desk and requested a room. I checked online but decided to walk into the hotel instead since my debit card had previously been declined (I figured I could use cash).Online, the hotel was priced at $75 (5,965 INR); I thought that seemed expensive, but I needed rest.The woman at the front desk gives me a price of 17,700 INR ($ 225). I was shocked and appalled and knew I was b

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eing scammed.That is the same (or more) I would pay for the same room in the US.I politely explained that I was not paying that price because it was too high. She then knocked the price down to 11,700 INR ( $145) and said that was the best she could do. I knew that was untrue, but I was extremely exhausted and could not wait any longer.The hotel staff was overall pleasant, and the lobby was clean and beautiful. The room was clean but smelled like cigarette smoke (the price provided was supposed to be for a non-smoking room). The TV did not work, and the room service prices were shockingly high-priced.The next day, I went to lunch. I ordered a hummus platter and tomato soup. The only option for water was$ 6. My bill came to 2090 INR ( $26). It was not worth that price — and the food was not tasty.I do not recommend staying at the Radisson Blu New Delhi Airport. It is overpriced, not a five-star hotel (by American standards), and I was targeted because I am a foreigner. Do your research before you go, or you will be out of a lot of dough in Delhi.I spent roughly$ 200 (15,915 INR) in less than 24 hours in Delhi. I am paying $200 or less for rentals in several villages in India (that price is for a one-month stay).Because of these scams, I decided to leave Delhi as soon as possible. I took the next bus out of there to a small village.<h2 id="f881">Final thoughts</h2>I am not trying to discourage you from visiting Delhi; I just suggest you be prepared before you land (accommodations, shuttle, etc.). I will always keep it real on my blogs. I do not want anyone else to have this poor experience.The hotel I initially booked was only$ 14 per night, so quite the price difference. I am not on a luxury vacation; I want to save as much as possible.Do thorough research on the hotel before you arrive. You can read a little more about my struggle to find a hotel here.Key Message — travel to Delhi with an open mind, but be prepared before you arrive (if you are foreign). Always follow your gut instinct, and be cautious. Other than that, embrace the experience, learn, and grow!I will be living and traveling throughout India for a year. Small villages and hidden gems are my main focus. I will be exploring culture, food, and language. I will share the true beauty of India with the world!India is my first stop. I will also be living and traveling to other countries throughout Asia.Thank you for reading!</article></body>

DAILY BLOG | TRAVEL | ADVENTURE | INDIA

First Impressions of New Delhi, India

Horns, heat, and hustle.

Disclosure — I was In Delhi for about 24 hours, so these are my initial thoughts and experiences. Below I provide a detailed recollection of the time spent in Delhi.

Arrival in Delhi

I took a 15-hour flight from the US to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India. At the time of my arrival (about 8 pm local time), the airport was not crowded. The airport was calm and clean. Plenty of airport employees were available to point us in the right direction.

The customs and border security lines were short, and the process was fast and smooth. I quickly received my visa and was on my way.

Once I exited border security, I exchanged cash for rupees for a fee of 500 INR (about $6). Generally, I do not use currency exchanges when I travel because my bank card does not have ATM or transaction fees. This time was different because my ATM transaction was rejected.

9 Essentials for Short or Long-Term Travel Abroad

My list of travel essentials for travel abroad.

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Note — Banks monitor ATMs for fraudulent activity. Once you attempt to withdraw cash from a flagged ATM, some US banks will decline the transaction or block your card. This might be frustrating, but it is for your own protection. Try using an ATM linked to a bank (I am familiar because I spent years working in banking/brokerage operations for a large corporation and Fintech company).

The gentleman I met on my flight purchased me a meal at the airport. It was 319 INR ($4). This is cheap compared to many US airports, where you might pay $5 for bottled water. We had an entire meal, and it was delicious and filling.

Once we finished our meal and walked towards the second exit, we were instructed to put all our luggage through a security scanner. Again, it was fast and smooth.

The adventure begins

Outside of the airport was a different experience. Like many countries I have visited outside the US, there were hustling cab drivers everywhere. They surrounded us and tried to get us to take a ride.

I attempted to get an Uber, but ride shares are only permitted in a designated parking lot. This made it impossible to locate my driver, so I had to take a local cab. Many cab drivers will match Uber (so the price was not an issue).

Note — Uber/Taxis range from 300 to 500 INR (around $4 to $6). Many of my taxi rides were around 7 km (4.3 miles); taxis are affordable. In the States, I would pay 5 times that amount for the same distance. Taxi/Uber are cash only.

Be aware — once you are in the cab, some drivers (both of my drivers tried) will attempt to redirect you to a hotel and promise a discount. Do not fall for this scam. The drivers work with the hotel owner, and the hotels are usually in bad neighborhoods.

Lots of blaring horns/heat

I was amazed at how much Indians use their horns. Expect to hear horns constantly! I studied the driver and realized they use their horns to communicate their direction to other drivers. There were a few stop lights, but no other rules of the road.

It was hot when I arrived in Delhi. Nearly 100 degrees (or 38 degrees Celsius), but luckily it was a dry heat.

Most establishments I visited had air conditioning, so it was not an issue. The only place that did not have air conditioning was the bus station (I was sweating buckets).

My hotel experience

I spent one night at the Radisson Blu New Delhi Airport. Once you arrive, you are required to go through security. All hotels (Hilton, Hyatt, etc.) in that area had the same process.

This was a different experience, but I felt safe and secure.

I arrived at the front desk and requested a room. I checked online but decided to walk into the hotel instead since my debit card had previously been declined (I figured I could use cash).

Online, the hotel was priced at $75 (5,965 INR); I thought that seemed expensive, but I needed rest.

The woman at the front desk gives me a price of 17,700 INR ($225). I was shocked and appalled and knew I was being scammed.

That is the same (or more) I would pay for the same room in the US.

I politely explained that I was not paying that price because it was too high. She then knocked the price down to 11,700 INR ($145) and said that was the best she could do. I knew that was untrue, but I was extremely exhausted and could not wait any longer.

The hotel staff was overall pleasant, and the lobby was clean and beautiful. The room was clean but smelled like cigarette smoke (the price provided was supposed to be for a non-smoking room). The TV did not work, and the room service prices were shockingly high-priced.

The next day, I went to lunch. I ordered a hummus platter and tomato soup. The only option for water was $6. My bill came to 2090 INR ($26). It was not worth that price — and the food was not tasty.

I do not recommend staying at the Radisson Blu New Delhi Airport. It is overpriced, not a five-star hotel (by American standards), and I was targeted because I am a foreigner. Do your research before you go, or you will be out of a lot of dough in Delhi.

I spent roughly $200 (15,915 INR) in less than 24 hours in Delhi. I am paying $200 or less for rentals in several villages in India (that price is for a one-month stay).

Because of these scams, I decided to leave Delhi as soon as possible. I took the next bus out of there to a small village.

Final thoughts

I am not trying to discourage you from visiting Delhi; I just suggest you be prepared before you land (accommodations, shuttle, etc.). I will always keep it real on my blogs. I do not want anyone else to have this poor experience.

The hotel I initially booked was only $14 per night, so quite the price difference. I am not on a luxury vacation; I want to save as much as possible.

Do thorough research on the hotel before you arrive. You can read a little more about my struggle to find a hotel here.

Key Message — travel to Delhi with an open mind, but be prepared before you arrive (if you are foreign). Always follow your gut instinct, and be cautious. Other than that, embrace the experience, learn, and grow!

I will be living and traveling throughout India for a year. Small villages and hidden gems are my main focus. I will be exploring culture, food, and language. I will share the true beauty of India with the world!

India is my first stop. I will also be living and traveling to other countries throughout Asia.

Thank you for reading!