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> KI-san & NI-san
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> KN-san & YN-san
> T-san
> Kazuko Yoshida
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Individual Reminiscences
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KI-san & NI-san's Story
My wife N-san and I first came to work in Europe (Sweden) in 1991 where I did cancer-related research work in both Gothenburg (1991–1994) and Stockholm (1994–1998). Before I came to Europe I was a medical doctor (neurosurgeon) and my wife Nobuko was a nurse (surgery). On the 28th of June 1998 we came to Cambridge. |
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I have some vivid memories about early times in Sweden, 1991. I was coming to set up a new research laboratory. I remember we travelled a long journey from Tokyo to Gothenburg, Sweden.
I remember well the weather whenwe arrived was cold and wet. It was late evening, dark and raining when we arrived in the town – it was very quiet. The next day we were surprised that we were really in a lively, busy part of town. |
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Another strong reminder of our early time in Sweden is linked to some knitwear – a cardigan and pullover. |
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| Early on in our time in Stockholm??/Gothenburg, Sweden – we saw in a shop window a knitting kit for making a wool cardigan. It had a lovely design with sheep. N-san liked the kit very much but at first we did not buy it because we had to be careful of our use of money. (My work was very demanding but the salary was not so high.) After thinking for some time we bought the kit. Nobuko worked at the knitting – and at first it was quite easy knitting the cardigan from the waist to below the bust - But then it was very difficult to get the knitting pattern right. Nobuko knitted and re-knitted the upper part (bust) many times. But each time she was not satisfied – but she persevered re-knitting seven times – until she had it right. |
We moved to Stockholm in 1998. |
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We moved to Cambridge in June 1998 when our research team leader in Stockholm moved to Cambridge to set up a new cancer research department located at the Addenbrookes Hospital site. We accompanied him as part of his team of brain tumour cancer researchers to be based at Addenbrookes Hospital.
This change to Cambridge involved a very memorable five-day journey in a big orange-coloured van with a special removals team. |
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I recall that our new Cambridge environment in 1999 was quite a contrast to our Stockholm experience.
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When we came we rented a flat at Causeway Side Cambridge University accommodation for five months. The caretaker there was called Manuel, originally from Chile.
Manuel was very kind and very helpful to us. For example, at the Causeway site there was a stray cat called Queenie which he used to feed. We became friendly with the cat too. When – for economical reasons – we decided to buy a new house, Manuel kindly let us take this cat Queenie with us to our new home on the south-east side of Cambridge.
Then two years after this, Manuel showed his kindness to us again. When a letter from Japan to my wife came to the Causeway site he not only remembered us and our unusual Japanese name – but he found us through the university network and brought the letter to my department. My wife Nobuko was so pleased to get the letter from her friend.
Now in 2008 – what do I think about Cambridge since 1998?
Well, things have generally improved. For instance, the Citi bus service has enormously improved compared with that in 1998 (when I came, nobody knew the bus route since nobody trusted buses). Lots of new research buildings have been built in the University/Hospital area, and loads of new houses are being built. I feel Cambridge is being continually invested in. A carefully controlled moderrisation is in principle welcomed.
I am fond of Cambridge because of its small size (easy to commute and meet with friends) and wonderful college buildings, but Nobuko feels it's too small (she was born and bred in Tokyo, one of the biggest cities in the world). |
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Manuel the caretaker |
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