A Cuban who returned to the island for a visit became the star of a viral video after taking part in the preparation of a caldosa in the street. However, what caught the attention of viewers was not the family reunion or the traditional dish, but the striking contrast between her look and the dilapidated state of the street where the cooking was taking place.
The clip, posted on Wednesday on TikTok by the account @karenmariaprez, known as "la china," shows the woman stepping out onto the street—in front of what seems to be her family's house—and stirring the pot where the caldosa was being prepared, while the surroundings reveal the typical deterioration found in many Cuban neighborhoods.
What sparked the comments was the visual contrast: the visitor was wearing several garments and sandals that users immediately recognized as being from the luxury brand Hermès due to their design, all in the middle of a street in poor condition.
Reactions came quickly. "Oh, the Hermés," wrote one user. Another noted, "Oh look, she doesn't remember how to stir the stew." A third joked, "Add the gold, it'll taste better," while someone else summed up the scene with a succinct, "When you go to Cuba for the first time."
The video, lasting only 48 seconds, has garnered nearly 71,000 views, over 2,200 "likes," and 233 comments in just a few days, featuring the audio of the popular song "El Negro está cocinando" by Los Van Van.
Caldosa is one of the most emblematic dishes of Cuban popular culture: a thick soup made with root vegetables—cassava, sweet potato, corn, pumpkin, taro—and various meats that is cooked in large pots on the street during neighborhood parties and community gatherings. Its collective preparation makes it a symbol of community and Cuban identity, which explains its frequent presence in scenes of family reunions.
The visible use of jewelry and luxury items by Cubans returning for visits is a recurring topic of debate on social media. Some interpret it as a legitimate expression of success achieved abroad; others criticize it as reckless due to the high rate of theft on the island, or because of the contrast it creates with the everyday hardships faced by those who live there.
This video is part of a very active trend among Cubans living abroad who document their visits to the island on TikTok, sparking debate over the contrast between their standard of living outside Cuba and the reality they encounter upon returning. Family reunions, the condition of the streets, shortages, and the appearance of the visitors have featured prominently in dozens of viral clips over the past two years.
This is not the first time sandals like those in this video have come up in this type of conversation: in early 2025, another Cuban went viral sharing her experience with that same model of footwear, which sparked a similar debate about ostentation and life on the island.
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