A video shared on TikTok by the user @reinaldo9303cubano has touched thousands of people by showing the reaction of his uncle, Noe, a Cuban recently arrived in the United States, after making his first purchase in a supermarket.
The scene, recorded by his nephew Rey, shows Noe pushing a cart full of products, with a mix of astonishment, excitement, and nostalgia. "Boy, if I can't handle this cart," he says at the beginning, as he tries to maneuver it in the supermarket parking lot.
However, soon his concern for his people in Cuba surfaced. “Do you see this? It breaks my heart in two, thinking about the people in Cuba, with the misery and hunger that exist, with nothing at all,” he laments, visibly affected by the stark contrast between the scarcity he left behind and the abundance that now surrounds him.
For many Cubans who have emigrated, this feeling is inevitable. “I have been here for months, and I still cry when I eat something that I know my mom and sister like,” said a person on social networks. Another expressed the sadness of knowing that the situation on the island continues to be difficult: “That is my great pain when I see food. What kind of trauma have they inflicted on us!”
The video not only reflects Noe's sensitivity but also his spontaneity and humor. Amidst his melancholy, he gets disoriented in the parking lot and jokes about his full cart: “Which way do I go, son? Where do I go now? I’m just going to throw myself over the wall with all this,” he says, causing his nephew to laugh.
The scene also made many people laugh on social media. "The poor guy ended up tormented; we’ve all been there when we arrive," commented one user. Another described Noe's reaction as a reflection of the Cuban character: "From happiness to bad temper in five seconds, haha, just like a true Cuban."
But the impact of the video goes beyond humor. For many immigrants, the first purchase in a supermarket is a moment of emotional shock. "Every Cuban suffers when they enter supermarkets," commented someone on the post.
The video has sparked a wave of reactions among Cubans on social media, who resonate with Noe's emotions. “When I arrived in Mexico and saw a Walmart for the first time, there were four of us crying in front of the beef refrigerators,” someone shared in the comments.
Others recalled how, despite being in another country, the nostalgia for loved ones in Cuba never fades. “Every time I throw something away, I say: God, forgive me; in my country, there are so many children and elderly people with nothing, not even a piece of bread,” expressed one person.
Some expressed the pain for those who have left family members on the island. “It happens to all of us, and to those of us who left children in Cuba even more,” one comment stated. Others compared Noe's experience to that of migrants from other countries: “I felt the same way when I did my first market in Spain; my heart broke thinking of my beloved Venezuela.”
For many, the video symbolizes the feelings of exiles. "This happens to all of us Cubans; we are always suffering from the situation in Cuba," noted one user. "The sacrifice of obtaining the little we had in Cuba gave sentimental value to everything," reflected another.
Others applauded Noe's big heart and his way of expressing what many feel. “How beautiful... how he thinks of his people he left in Cuba,” wrote one user. “That is the pain of all of us who are far away,” added another person.
This video adds to other viral moments featuring Noe, who has won the public's affection for his sincerity and spontaneity. Though nostalgia overwhelms him, his nephew reminds him of an important truth: "But you are here now."
Now, in his new life in the United States, Noe begins to uncover a world of possibilities, even though his heart remains divided between what he left behind and what awaits him in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Experience of Cubans Emigrating to the United States
Why do newly arrived Cubans in the United States feel excited when visiting supermarkets?
The excitement of Cubans visiting supermarkets in the United States is due to the abundance of products they find, in contrast to the scarcity they experienced in Cuba. This experience is often an emotional shock, as many feel nostalgia for their loved ones who are still facing difficulties on the island.
What is the impact of Noe's viral video on social media?
The viral video of Noe has generated a wave of empathy and connection among the Cuban community on social media. It reflects the mix of emotions that immigrants experience when facing new realities and highlights the differences between life in Cuba and abroad.
How does the scarcity in Cuba affect the Cubans who emigrate?
The scarcity in Cuba causes emigrating Cubans to feel a profound nostalgia and concern for their relatives who continue to live on the island. Often, this feeling is heightened by witnessing the abundance of products in other countries, which underscores the inequalities and shortages they left behind.
What does Noe's reaction represent for other Cubans abroad?
Noe's reaction upon making his first purchase at a supermarket in the United States symbolizes for many Cubans abroad the emotional shock and the blend of feelings of happiness and sadness. It reflects the connection with the migratory experience and the challenges they face when leaving their loved ones behind.
Filed under:
