A Cuban residing in Berlin shared on TikTok his first experience using the metro in the German capital, and the video became an emotional and humorous portrayal of the contrast between life in Cuba and in Europe. The creator, identified as @rubytelocuenta_cu, posted the clip on Saturday accompanied by his sister, who acted as the camerawoman, along with two other adults and a child.
From the very first moment, the tone of the video blends genuine astonishment with irony. Upon arriving at the entrance of the station, the Cuban couldn't help but celebrate a detail that would go unnoticed in any other city: "I'm super happy because the escalators were working; where I come from, that's not normal."
The group bought their tickets at an automatic machine for 12.40 euros, the price of a pack of four single journeys in zone AB of the Berlin public transport system. The creator took the opportunity to give a practical piece of advice to his followers: "In this machine, you enter the date, the day, and the time so that you don't get caught," referring to the mandatory ticket validation, the omission of which can lead to hefty fines.
It also highlighted a particularity of the German system: "Very important: in Germany, children do not pay for public transport," although in reality, the free travel applies to those under six years old, while children aged six to 14 have a reduced fare.
When the train accumulated a ten-minute delay, the Cuban's reaction was the opposite of the other passengers: "Everyone was upset, but I didn't even notice those ten minutes went by." For someone used to the endless waits of public transportation in Cuba — marked by a shortage of fuel, outdated vehicles, and irregular routes — such a delay seemed insignificant.
Upon entering the train car, the experience left him speechless: "I was told it was one of the modern ones; I felt like I was stepping into a jet. The metro was extremely quiet; you didn't hear any noise, music, or anything." During the ride, he also encountered a dog traveling calmly and noted that animals must also pay to access the metro.
The destination of the trip was a friend's apartment, whose view from the balcony elicited another comment filled with emotion: "Look at the beautiful view she has from her balcony, such peace, so relaxing, what chicharrones with meat."
This type of video is part of a well-established trend among Cuban emigrants documenting their first experiences in Europe, from crowded supermarkets to snow, and from obeyed traffic lights to the treatment by authorities. These testimonies create a strong sense of identification within the Cuban community abroad, as they recognize in every detail the vast difference between life on the Island and that of the host countries.
Other Cubans in Germany have shared similar experiences, highlighting things they have there that are unimaginable in Cuba: no blackouts, no shortages, and public services that function properly. The creator promised a second video with everything you need to know before riding the Berlin metro "so that you don't get fined."
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