Okay.  I’ve deleted my first two blog posts. 

Let me explain.  A few months ago, after having published my second novel, “A Legacy of Drowning,” on Amazon and thinking a lot about what I wanted to do next, I had visitors from the US whom I took to Macchu Piccu.  We were riding the train that evening from Aguas Calientes) to Cuzco, a four hour journey,  very weary and happily drinking our rum and diet cokes (which we had smuggled on board), talking and laughing and visiting with a few other passengers.  I had already been in Peru for two years, and sharing the place with my friends caused me to consider the whole experience, from my first days of trepidation and ignorance to this level of relative comfort I’d achieved. 

Into my (slightly fuzzy) brain flashed the idea of writing a travel-type book, diary fashion, compressed, and a bit fictionalized, recording the experience.  The name, “The Picanteria Diaries,” formed itself solidly in my mind.  Of course, the literal significance is based on the thousand small restaurants, or Picanterias, that can be found on every block in the cities and pueblos of Peru.  But the hint from the word “diaries,” is of course to remind the reader that often the result of eating in these places can cause a traveler, well, let’s say some intestinal distress. 

I contacted other ex-pats I know here in Arequipa and several who have relocated to the US or other places, asking them to send me their favorite stories of living in Peru, including best and worst moments with regard to life in general, and of course, to food. 

Once a few responses arrived, I began to attempt to compose a few anecdotes and consider how I wanted to structure this.  At that same time, I became a member of SheWrites and discovered the blog section. 

How fortuitous, I thought!  I’ll write the blog, each post being one day, and at the end of the 365 days/entries, rewrite and reshape and edit and revise into book form. 

Needless to say, I jumped in way too quickly and after my second posting realized  I was writing some really boring stuff.  The problem, I’ve discovered, is that I’m trying to recapture the early days from the relative comfort of a two year resident.  So, a change of plan. 

And the new plan it to continue blogging, but about the process of writing “The Picanteria Diaries.”  I’m leaning more and more about SheWrites and it strikes me that this, and not the other, is the purpose of this site. 

Wish me luck.