A Cuban identified on TikTok as @esther.g283 went viral after sharing a video recorded in a Walmart in Mexico, where her reaction to seeing fruits and vegetables left thousands of people feeling a mix of joy and sadness.
The most talked-about moment occurs when she and her daughter, who is accompanying her, stop in front of some potatoes and then in front of the refrigerators with vegetables, hesitating as to whether they are toys. "What is fake? How can it be fake?" her daughter replies.
The clip lasts less than a minute, but it was enough to strike a chord with Cubans both on the island and abroad. In just two days, it amassed hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of "likes," while the comments were filled with messages of empathy and nostalgia.
For many Cubans, seeing abundant, fresh food readily available remains something shocking after years of facing shortages in Cuba.
Many users understood the reaction perfectly. "What is simple for some can be impossible for others," wrote one person. Another commented, "How great that they can experience that; it should be the norm."
The video also stirred memories among other Cuban emigrants who confessed to having experienced similar situations upon arriving in other countries. Some recalled the first time they entered a crowded supermarket; others spoke about the impression of being able to choose food without so many limitations.
These types of scenes have become increasingly common on TikTok, where newly arrived Cubans in Mexico, Spain, or the United States share their first experiences seeing well-stocked supermarkets, crowded aisles, and products that often disappear for months in Cuba.
Beyond its viral nature, the video by @esther.g283 ended up reflecting something very profound: how something as ordinary as seeing a beautiful potato in a supermarket can become an exciting moment for someone who has spent years marked by scarcity.
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