A Cuban resident in Miami shared on TikTok the contents of the package her mother sent her from Cuba, in a video that humorously and emotionally reflects the daily reality of thousands of families separated by migration.
The creator, known on the platform as @yuyu_la_cubana, posted on Sunday the so-called "haul" —a showcase of the items received— and described each piece with the blend of gratitude and nostalgia that characterizes the Cuban diaspora.
"Haul of goodies that my mom sent me from Cuba, so let's get started," said the young woman before opening a little box that, on the outside, gave no hint of its contents: inside were fresh Cuban pastries that arrived crumbled after going through airport handling. "I understand they got broken, but just imagine," she said, without letting that diminish the thought behind the gesture.
To pick up the package, the young woman had to drive three hours through a storm. "I went with God and returned with God," she summarized.
Among the items sent, there was also a product called "cañapítula" or "cañandonga" —which the author admitted she didn't know exactly what it was— along with honey to mix with orange, both intended to boost hemoglobin levels. "In the comments, it says that there’s everything in the United States, but my mom says she doesn’t know about things from my country," she explained, echoing the logic of a mother who trusts remedies from her homeland more than those from the northern power.
The package also included two amoxicillins and some "polirios," vitamin supplements. "The best medicine is from Cuba, and if my mom sends it to me, I’ll receive it with much love," said the young woman. This detail is not minor: Cuba is experiencing a critical shortage of medications that affects more than 70% of essential drugs, and amoxicillin is one of the most difficult antibiotics to obtain on the island, where it can reach 700 Cuban pesos in the informal market.
The packaging also caught attention: the mother used recycled containers to store the items. "My mom, like every Cuban, recycles even the bottles," the young woman remarked, describing a habit born from the chronic scarcity that Cubans maintain even outside the island.
The closing of the package was the most celebrated: a small bowl with ground peanut nougat, the artisanal sweet made of peanuts and sugar that is part of the popular culinary identity of Cuba. "I am a fan, a fan," declared the author before tasting it in front of the camera. "I know they sell it here, but I prefer the one from Cuba, and if my mom sends it to me, I really like my mom's."
This type of unpacking videos between Cuba and its diaspora has become a recurring trend among Cubans abroad, with dozens of posts that elicit a strong emotional response from the community. The packages usually contain food, medications, and hygiene products, the three categories most affected by shortages on the island.
"Tell me if you like ground peanut nougat, I’m from Miami, and let me know if your mom sends you things from Cuba like mine does. Kisses and blessings," the young woman concluded, inviting other Cubans in the diaspora to share their own stories.
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