The Cuban YouTuber Frank El Makina shared on TikTok the excitement of fulfilling an old wish: buying a pair of Vans shoes. As he explained in a video posted from Montevideo, it is a "dream come true from his teenage years" that he could not realize while living in Cuba.
"I did it, here in Uruguay," expressed @frankelmakina at the beginning of his testimony, in which he thanked the daily effort and the opportunities provided by the South American country that allowed him to reach this goal. "Thanks to the fact that we work every day and that here in Uruguay dreams can come true, no matter how ridiculous it may seem to you," he stated.
Frank recalled that when he was 15, he wished he could have a pair of Vans, but the price—around $100—made it impossible to get them. “Can you imagine me asking my dad to buy me a pair of shoes for $100? I had to settle for what I could get,” he said. “This is a dream come true for me because I always wanted to have them.”
In his testimony, the Cuban expressed gratitude for the country's economic freedom and the promotions available in the market. "Thanks to capitalism, to the freedom that exists, there are many companies and these companies offer deals (...) well, brother, I got it with a kind of offer, man, that saved me a few dollars along the way," he detailed.
He also mentioned his membership in an urban tribe during his adolescence. “I longed to have Vans at that time because I was part of the geek urban tribe; the geeks wore Vans and Converse, you know, that vibe and look, and I’m still the same as before.”
"I am very happy about that," he/she concluded.
The post received dozens of messages of support, pride, and congratulations from both Cubans and Uruguayans. Many celebrated the gesture as a symbolic act of overcoming adversity.
"Excellent. For being able to fulfill your dreams. Working in Uruguay makes it possible," wrote a user. Others noted: "It's not ridiculous at all, it's a nice treat for that Cuban teenager, beautiful!", "Congratulations on being able to fulfill your dream of getting really nice sneakers, greetings from Montevideo," and "It's a pleasure to see this, a dream come true in Uruguay."
Several users also took the opportunity to welcome the YouTuber. “Enjoy them with good health. Welcome to Uruguay. Cuban brothers,” “Thank you, safe travels,” or “Congratulations, enjoy them. It’s very exciting to fulfill dreams, no matter how small they may be.”
Although some messages were critical, most celebrated the achievement with phrases like "Congratulations my brother, success," "You deserve it," "You have to treat yourself," and "That's what we work for: to fulfill our dreams."
Stories like that of Frank El Makina add to other recent testimonies of Cuban migrants who have been able to fulfill long-postponed dreams after settling outside the island.
In the United States, doctor Alexander Pupo Casas celebrated the purchase of his first Ford Mustang and stated: "A dream I always had and that as a doctor in a slave country I could have never achieved."
In Mexico, a Cuban woman celebrated the purchase of her first apartment and said: “We are taking a step that can only be achieved by those who truly focus on what they want and are objective.”
In the United States, Leidy Aragón celebrated buying two homes after starting by cleaning houses for 20 dollars. “Three years. Two houses. A dream come true,” she wrote.
Another Cuban, living in the U.S., fulfilled her dream of dining by the Seine River in Paris. “The dream of my whole life was to come to Paris, and here I am,” she expressed in an emotional video.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frank El Makina's Achievements in Uruguay
What was the "dream come true" for the Cuban YouTuber Frank El Makina in Uruguay?
Frank El Makina fulfilled his dream of buying a pair of Vans sneakers, something he had desired since his teenage years in Cuba, but was unable to achieve due to the economic limitations on the island.
What has Frank El Makina highlighted about his life experience in Uruguay?
Frank El Makina has highlighted the economic freedom and opportunities that Uruguay offers, allowing him to fulfill dreams and improve his quality of life, something he could not achieve in Cuba.
How has the migration of Cubans to Uruguay impacted the context presented?
The migration of Cubans to Uruguay has allowed many of them to rebuild their lives and fulfill long-delayed dreams, taking advantage of an environment that offers stability and opportunities for both work and personal growth.
What challenges do Cuban migrants face in Uruguay according to Frank El Makina?
Frank El Makina mentions that Cubans face challenges such as restrictions on accessing credit due to the previous payment defaults of earlier migrants, which has tightened financial conditions for new residents.
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