Literal English translation for this proverb would be: "You have to know there to go/get there."

In Haiti, we like to visit new places. We like to experiment with new activities and do what we have never done before. Some people just need to see someone do something, and they will try to do it, too. Some other people just read a recipe or get a mere explanation about something, and they start to do it.

Therefore, they do not always succeed the first time. Some people do not have it really done well even after several tries. Some other people just get discouraged because of the difficulty they find in the road they never knew existed.

Haitians say this proverb to talk about the importance of experience in all the aspects of life. Nothing can replace some experience acquired in doing something or going somewhere. They say this proverb whenever someone does something for the first time and does not succeed. or when someone sees someone else do something and tries to do it too but they fail or it  doesn't go well. I can also be said when someone resolves a difficult task/situation easily and quickly because of the ability acquired in doing it.

There is nothing compared to experience. We should be humble enough to ask experienced people for advice and to learn from their experience.

The fact that you have the recipe doesn't mean you can make a cake because "Fòk ou konn la pou w al la."