What is the difference between mis-information, dis-information or just plain BS and more importantly, who gets to decide? In the last year we have jumped from living off grid in the Far North of NZ (where we spent minimal time online due to spotty cell phone coverage!) to starting our blog and opening the social media ‘can of worms’. In our year of travels we have spent a lot of time online searching for various information – flights, accommodation, food etc. So in this blog we thought we would share our observations and thoughts on the info overload of the internet!
To Be Honest, Where Would We Be Without the Internet?
Remember back, way back, in the days when Lonely Planet Guide was the only ‘go to’, combing through the pages to find the best place to stay, eat, or visit. How things have advanced. It’s hard to imagine moving countries without the internet now. However, since embarking on our epic adventure we have realized that, like all good things, the internet is a great tool but not without limitations.
Where is the Truth?
We have often noticed that there are theories, claims, and ideas about particular locations that are simply inaccurate. It’s taken us awhile to fully come to terms with this. We had become accustomed to how things were back in New Zealand, or at least, how things were for us. I say ‘for us’ as we were locals in New Zealand. We were tuned-in to the community and a few online networks. We tend to take it for granted that being ‘tuned in’ is something that can only really be achieved by being on the ground.
This would seem to be obvious, but not always. We have met fellow travelers and read many online posts that confirm that it’s not uncommon for people to be operating under significant misconceptions about the lay of the land. We have also learned some lessons and had the odd close call because we had relied too much on what we had heard or read on the net. The stakes become higher when you’re not only traveling but permanently relocating to another country.
Accurate, reliable information is critically important and so we thought it might be useful to talk about some things to keep in mind.
Lost in Translation
It’s so obvious, right…not everyone speaks English! Even though we have Google Translate up our sleeve, the fact remains that a massive amount of information gets lost in the cracks of the language divide.
Here’s an example that comes to mind. When staying in Antigua, Guatemala we were chatting with our host at the place we were staying. The topic of visiting the nearby volcanos came up. Our host warned us not to think about doing it. She went on to explain that recently she had some guests who had come to grief after doing so. She also explained that we were likely to see people hobbling around the city on crutches and this was probably due to volcano boarding adventures gone wrong.
We weren’t considering checking out the volcanos anyway, and this post is not to dissuade anyone who might be thinking about going volcano boarding. My point is, when you Google ‘volcano boarding Guatemala’ you will find scores of exciting, positive sites about the fun and adventure that awaits. But if you Google ‘volcano boarding Guatemala injuries’, you will come across an entirely different series of stories that might make you think twice.
The point is not about volcano boarding but about not relying on a single search engine result when researching your next big adventure. Talk to people, get some input from locals, ask around. If you’re an adrenaline junkie and that’s your thing, go for gold. But we think it’s best to know what you’re getting yourself in for.
And harking back to the ‘Lonely Planet Guide’. When we had a book of information, the good, bad, and ugly were available on the same pages. This is what we’re missing out on today with the internet. The internet tends to tell us what we want to hear. We get what we give when we search online. Sometimes we need to remember to research rather than just Google.
Some Examples of Lost in Translation…
Google Knows a Lot, but Not Everything
To our surprise, we found there seem to be big gaps in the online knowledge database; at least what’s readily available. There are many factors at play. Some countries we’ve visited seem to have fallen into online time warps. We have also found that you can find more information if you search for the topic in Spanish – of course Google Translate becomes your best friend here!
In Paraguay the language is a combination of Spanish and the local Guarani dialect. The result is that there is a lot of information that hasn’t been widely translated onto the internet, much of the local information is on Facebook/Instagram or just plain ‘word of mouth’.
The main method of communication in Central/South America is WhatsApp – it is also widely used for business as well. This can be very convenient and a bit of a lifesaver, as you can use Google translate for your Whatsapp messages and connect and obtain direct information easier.
Social Media Has Its Place, But…
Of course, social media is an invaluable tool for us. However, we’ve noticed that people are making important decisions based on what they read online, which isn’t always the best idea.
Recently we were reading comments on a certain popular video streaming site. The discussion thread was on a video posted by a popular ‘relocation expert’ who was talking about a country that, in his opinion, was a great place to relocate. We haven’t been to the particular country in question, but we are aware of certain developments in that country that anyone who is thinking of moving there should be aware of. We posted a link to another website that contained quite vital information about this country (especially if you like your personal freedoms!) and thought nothing of it. That was until we received a warning notice from that site, inferring that our comment was in breach of their rules and that we had best desist, otherwise, our channel might be in jeopardy.
Who knows what it was about our comment that raised their hackles. Was it because we put a link in there? The point is, that social media is becoming increasingly moderated, pruned, censored, and sanitized. Again, it’s a brilliant tool, but you need to be be mindful of its limitations.
And just to be clear, we wouldn’t have expected anyone to take our word for what we had posted. We were just trying to offer what we felt was relevant information. Regardless, we are sure of our facts about the country in question, and anyone moving there would benefit from what we talking about.
Swim Between the Flags…There Might Be Sharks in the Water
There is a boutique industry that has formed to ‘assist’ those who are thinking of moving overseas. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and blogs. Many sources claim to have good oil about whatever destination you might consider. Many of these sources are gold, and we have benefited so much from reaching out to these people and availing ourselves of their local knowledge and expertise. Simon of Simons Paraguay and Radu of A Better Life YouTube channel are two guys who have helped us immeasurably since arriving in Paraguay.
When researching any unfamiliar destination it’s human nature to look for credible sources, people we can trust. But you need to be careful. We have had a few other encounters that haven’t been so great. To be honest, we have met some sharks. Thankfully, we have come out relatively unscathed.
So this is our advice, trust but verify. Whether it’s advice about places to eat, visit, or settle, always try to cross-check the information. It just makes sense to do so.
Things Change Quickly
We often see misleading or incomplete information about the legal requirements of travel and relocation. Commonly these are innocent mistakes. Things change quickly. The point is, that information that was valid yesterday needs to be verified today to ensure it’s still valid.
It might be something as simple as entry/exit requirements when traveling to another country. We made this mistake when we traveled from Australia to New Zealand during the pandemic. A few months before our departure the Australian Government implemented a requirement that all Australian citizens needed to make an application to leave the country. We had no idea but managed to argue the point and got out by the skin of our teeth.
The world has changed and travel is no longer as free and easy as it once was. This wasn’t so much a case of disinformation; it was that we were not aware that things had changed. We also assumed that the airline would have alerted us when we booked the tickets, but that was also our mistake
The flip side of the internet is that, in the eyes of those who control our movements, you are expected to know. Our advice is, before traveling, check the rules of the road.
Another example of how quickly things can change is the temporary residence requirements in Nicaragua. Recently things have changed. Those who hold cedulas are now required to report to the capital city, Managua, every six months. This is a massive pain in the butt for some people, but we seldom see this mentioned by sources who claim that Nicaragua is a great option to relocate. For many people it’s not a big deal, but the changes to cedula arrangements are certainly a factor that you would want know about when weighing up your options.
Things Roll Differently Around Here
It may be arrogant, but the truth is we all tend to expect things to operate just like they did ‘back home.’ Well, that’s often not the case, particularly when shopping for big-ticket items like property or vehicles.
Since arriving in Paraguay we’ve been busy looking for a property to buy. There are real estate agents, but they are based predominantly in the main centres so most of our searching has been on Facebook. The property descriptions are generally brief and often hilarious. Full descriptions are often something as complex as ‘Ganga hermosa’ (beautiful bargain) or ‘Lote a seguir pagando’ (a lot to keep paying).
Suffice it to say, that information can be sparse. We are in the process of acquiring a vehicle so we can visit properties that catch our eye. Relevant, detailed information about properties can be hard to find. Having said that, the same applies to vehicles!
Don’t Be Put Off!
Don’t worry, there’s heaps of information available to any intrepid traveler. We suggest you just remain mindful that it doesn’t necessarily fall into our laps the moment we Google it. At the end of the day you need to be your own ‘moderator’ and cross check info in various ways. The internet is an awesome tool; just be aware of its limitations. And do it anyway!
If you are looking to move to Paraguay, or are keen to come and check it out, don’t hesitate to CONTACT US. We are building a network of trustworthy and like minded people that can help you with reliable information.
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