What more can I say, churches in Europe are beyond amazing!

I am super proud of this young woman who started volunteering with Project Pearls at age 16 . Now at 26, she leads our Education and Literacy Program. I am happy that she’s here with me organizing my head and heart 😇 Thank you Karen ! So proud of you!

Back in Oxford after 5 years. As you may know. I was awarded the Albert Schweitzer Medal and Lectureship by the World Literacy Foundation in 2018. I am blessed and honored that the World Literacy Foundation sponsored me back to do a lecture.

Photos taken by Devin Sartori – Venice tour guide and photographer . The truth is I was feeling so awkward with this photo shoot. But glad they came out beautiful ☺️.

I wanna go home now.

I can still vividly remember coming here with Clif four years ago! We both seldom eat meat but it’s a must to try their prosciutto! I am so happy to come here last night and I can feel Clif’s excited energy!

Flying back tomorrow to SF. I really can’t explain why I am getting too sad to leave Italy specifically Florence & Rome.

The coolest and cleanest market I have been too! Mercato Centrale Firenze gives back to the city an ideal marketplace of taste, redeveloping a vital venue in central Florence. It’s a rebirth that returns artisans and their produce to the heart of the food scene. There was a long line for this street food shop…

This is Mario, one of the few gondolieris who sings and he sings good! He’s been a gondolieris for over 40 years now !

Took an early train here from Florence and will stay for the night at an Airbnb. And wow! More pics later!

A week is not enough but I’ve seen the Pope; I did truffle hunting; made and ate too many pastas; went to museums, churches, gift shops. But most of all, I said my deepest gratitude and prayers here at different beautiful churches.

My 4th class in making fresh pasta and making them into different shapes and kinds. I learned so much about making different sauces and fillings too. I can’t wait to cook for families and friends !