I'm back!

We got in Tuesday night from vacation ... had a wonderful time!  Ireland was beautiful, as green as you always hear about. The Irish people we're wonderful as we're all the people in our tour group.  The food ... well it was OK in my book, nothing all that special unless you like cream soups and potatoes ( I stayed away from both). I did things I could have never done a year and almost 160 pounds ago, it made the trip much more fun. We walked so much, and I loved it! Even came home to find out that I'd lost 5 pounds! Holland was warm, very warm in fact. We never wore jackets, and since mine was big already I gave it to one of the cousins, along with some other clothes that we're getting big. We had a great time with family and loved every second of the trip. They had no idea I'd lost weight so it was a very nice surprise. At the train station they walked right past me, never noticing me ... that was the best moment of the trip! Old habits came back, they snack all the time, and I would snack on things I don't buy at home like chips and crackers, and drink tea while doing it ... so bad! I did stay away from the sweets though well bad sweets, the cousins we stayed with own an ice cream shop and they now make a delicious sugar free/non fat tropical flavored ice cream that I treated myself to, one European size scoop (less than 1/4 of our size scoops) every other day, and usually I wouldn't finish that, hubby would eat the last few bites. I always love traveling, but must admit, it sure is nice to be home!

Jan, It sounds like a wonderful vacation!  I loved Holland.  I haven't been to Ireland.  I've spent time in Sweden though.  I think every WLS patient that can afford it should treat themselves to a trip to Europe once they've lost 150 lbs or so!  It is so much more enjoyable!!! Sounds like you did great! Lori

My family had a cottage house in Ireland (we're not Irish, we're Danish, my dad just fell in love with the country), so we used to go often when I was a teenager.  Ireland was a fairly poor country then, but the people were quite friendly.  I also remember it being very, very green everywhere. Irish food was almost frightening back then because it was all overcooked and uninspired (one pork chop I ate in a restaurant was so tough, it could have been used to resole a shoe).  Of course, we mostly cooked at home, which was a good thing. The cottage house was in a small village, and I had long, almost white-blonde hair, which was quite a novelty for the villagers. I have fond memories of all the attention I used to get in town.  I haven't been back to Ireland since the late 70s, and hope to visit again someday now that their economy has improved dramatically.  I understand it's a lot more cosmopolitan now. My credit card accumulates frequent flyer miles, so I think when I'm able, we will cash them all in and go first class to Australia or New Zealand. Welcome home! Kix

Jandell I'm glad you had a great time. You are having so many WOW moments lately. I go home to see my family in July. I am hoping to lose about 40 more lbs by then. Even at the weight I am now, I look so different. So I can imagine how different you looked to your family 160 lbs less.  Congratulations on the additional 5 lbs. 

Welcome home!  Your trip sounds fantastic - what a blessing to enjoy such a beautiful place, and to spend time with your family.  Now you can enjoy being home (sleeping in your own bed - my favorite part of coming home from vacation!).   Kellie

HEY JANDELL,          I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOU HAD A GREAT TIME.... ITS NICE TO TRAVEL BUT GETTING HOME IS ALSO GREAT LOL..... IT IS FUNNY TO SEE PEOPLES EXPRESSIONS ON THERE FACES WHEN THEY SEE YOU AFTER WLS AINT IT? AND THE OTHER FUNNY THING IS BEING ON VACATION AND LOSING WEIGHT AT THE SAME TIME.... WHO DOES THAT???? LOL... HOPE TO GET TO SEE SOME PICS SOON.... GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK AND HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER... HUGS MARGE