Whether a study is qualitative or quantitative, the process of data collection is not as orderly as it may seem when described in published research reports, articles, or books. Data collection may be more challenging when conducting research across national and linguistic borders. In this article, I share and reflect upon the complex and messy experience of conducting an exploratory, "qualitative-oriented" study in Internet Cafes across three South American countries (and two languages): Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. I provide several examples of the challenges I encountered and my attempts to "solve" them. Studies that are transported across national and linguistic borders cannot simply be translated but also must be adapted to the cultural, social and linguistic norms of each particular context. The article also points out how changes in the ways in which data are collected ought to be carefully considered during analysis and interpretation of the findings. Finally, implications for researchers--novices and seasoned--are provided.