In my younger years, I travelled extensively throughout China. Yet, it was on a culinary tour of Bayswater with my son that I truly tasted belonging.
In 2006, during his gap year, my son Pan embarked on a journey to discover “a world beyond books.” After four months backpacking through Australia and New Zealand, he shared a profound realization: the meaning of home. He observed that home wasn’t solely defined by physical location or material wealth, but by the connections and experiences within it. His words resonated deeply, prompting me to reflect on my own varied experiences of home.
My earliest “home” was divided between my grandparents’ houses. My parents, both Chinese Communist party members in the 1950s, had little time for me, sending me away at only 30 days old. My memories of this time are scant. My second home was a political orphanage, a stark and unforgettable experience. Fourteen of us, labeled “black children” due to our families’ status as enemies of the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution, were denied basic rights and fellowship with other children for six and a half years. My third “home” wasn’t a place but a journey – traveling across China to interview women, exploring the concept of home through their perspectives for my radio program, *Words on the Night Breeze*.
At 40, I found a true sense of belonging in England. This final home, my flat in Queensway, London, became a physical and emotional sanctuary, a place to reflect and rebuild. I moved there in 2002, but three years later, I realized how little I knew about my neighbours or the history of my vibrant street. My son’s reflections on home sparked a newfound curiosity.
Queensway, in Bayswater, west London, has a rich history. Early maps show a road extending north from Bayswater Road across open fields. Initially known as Black Lion Lane, it became Queen’s Road in 1837, later evolving into Queensway. At its northern end stood Whiteleys, one of London’s first department stores.
Today, Queensway is a bustling hub of restaurants and shops. Inspired by the importance of food in Chinese culture, my son and I embarked on a “taste of Queensway” project. Each week, we explored a different restaurant, aiming to sample diverse cuisines at the lowest possible cost.
From Mexican food at the Queens ice-skating rink to Japanese sushi at Whiteleys, our culinary journey spanned 27 weeks and at least 27 countries’ cuisines. It was a revelation, highlighting the global crossroads that is Queensway. My late husband’s surprise at hearing English spoken outside our flat suddenly made sense. Queensway isn’t just a street; it’s a vibrant tapestry of cultures, a home for people from all over the world, each contributing their traditions and tastes to this rich and diverse city. And I, a lucky Chinese woman, find myself at home amidst this abundance of flavours in west London.