Hauz Kauz | Delhi, India

I didn’t photograph a lot in Delhi, partly because I was chilling with my clients, partly because I had an eye infection, and partly because I spent 90% of my time in Delhi eating at food festival across the street from my hotel.

But I did venture out one afternoon to meet up with my friend Sahil (you may remember him for the reality TV show Girls who Like Boys Who Like Boys). He splits his time between Delhi and New York City. Sahil texted me and said “you have to come meet me at Hauz Kauz, it’s like the east village of Delhi, and it’s the hipster gay area.” Well, this I had to see, and I dragged my new (queer by coincidence) friends (from Couchsurfing), Kate and Melly along for the ride.

Hauz Kaus is a mix of old and new; with crumbling cobblestone streets and hip boutiques and bars, reminiscent of Brooklyn’s Dumbo. The village contains a beautiful park, where we enjoyed walking and seeing some old monuments, peacocks, deer, and of course, people watching.

According to CNN, “In the last four years musicians, designers, travelers, foodies, readers of journals and little books, art and poster-collectors, map makers, social activists and the Delhi LGBT community have set up homes and shops here.” I highly recommend a stroll through this area, and bring friends along, so that you can stop at one of the many bars and get a tower of beer.

Traveler tip: Get some gelato at the gelato stand when you enter the village.