"Today I'm going to teach you how to survive in Cuba," announces TikTok user @darlinmedina93 as she begins a video in which she shows how she manages to cook on the island amid severe shortages of basic services.
The young woman documents how she copes with the lack of electricity, gas, and coal, and shares with humor and resignation the alternative she has found: cooking with firewood from her balcony.
"Cook a Cuban meal when there's no electricity, when you don't have gas – because that is no longer seen here – and when your famous little charcoal runs out," he says in the video, as he gets ready to go out and look for dry branches to use as fuel.
"Well, here we are looking for firewood, gentlemen, because you know there are no alternatives; we have to cook with wood. My daughter can't go to bed without eating," she comments while gathering the sticks she will use to start the fire.
With an improvised kitchen on the balcony of her home, the Cuban woman decides to prepare spaghetti, a simple dish that allows her to handle both lunch and dinner. “Something quick, that doesn’t require too much work,” she explains.
As she demonstrates the cooking process, she adds spices and ham to the pasta, and finally, she broils the cheese. "Look how delicious it is, gentlemen, my wood-fired spaghetti turned out perfectly and doesn’t even taste smoky. It doesn’t taste like wood; this is incredibly tasty and has the flavor of rustic food," she states with satisfaction.
The video has sparked multiple reactions on social media, with many users expressing admiration for the creativity and resilience of the Cuban people in the face of the energy crisis the country is experiencing.
For months, Cubans have been facing extensive daily blackouts, shortages of liquefied gas and coal, and a deep economic crisis that forces millions to improvise to meet basic needs such as food.
Frequently Asked Questions about Daily Survival in Cuba Without Basic Services
How do Cubans cook without electricity, gas, or coal?
In the midst of the energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing, Cubans are forced to cook with firewood, using dry branches as fuel. This improvised method has become a common alternative due to the lack of basic services such as electricity, domestic gas, and charcoal.
What are the main difficulties that Cubans face in preparing their food?
The lack of electricity and liquefied gas, along with the high cost of charcoal, are the main difficulties faced by Cubans in preparing their food. This forces families to resort to improvised methods such as cooking with firewood or using homemade inventions to generate electricity.
How does the energy crisis affect the daily lives of Cuban families?
The energy crisis in Cuba severely impacts the daily lives of families, affecting their ability to cook, preserve food, and carry out basic tasks. Furthermore, prolonged blackouts complicate rest and worsen living conditions, especially for households with children and the elderly.
What solutions have Cubans found to cope with the lack of basic services?
In the face of the lack of basic services, Cubans have turned to creativity and ingenuity, using firewood for cooking and creating improvised systems to generate electricity. Some have even adapted motorcycle batteries and solar panels to cook and perform other household tasks.
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