Cuban Woman Overwhelmed by Excitement During First Visit to Waldo’s in Mexico

Lietty Piña, a Cuban residing in Mexico, took to TikTok to share her initial experience at a Waldo's store, where she couldn't hold back her excitement as she compared her current surroundings to the scarcity she left behind in Cuba. The brief video, lasting just over a minute and a half, has sparked a significant response online, drawing a myriad of supportive messages, critiques, and reflections.

As Piña explores the aisles, she exclaims, "I'm so thrilled because I see everything and the prices excite me even more because they're so affordable," beginning her video under the username @liettypi. With a perpetual smile, she adds, "I want to pick up little things for the kitchen; the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom are my favorite parts of the house."

The young woman showcases various items like notebooks, glitter-covered planners, boards, and other school supplies. "The dream of any Cuban girl," she remarks upon seeing the planners. Laughing, she exclaims, "Look at this... I love, love... this is just glitter. Oh, I want one! They're so beautiful, my God!"

Expressing her childlike wonder, she states, "I love this section of stores where there are books and little things. I'm still like a child," as she displays a stationery section. Reflecting on her past, she notes, "In Cuba, we couldn't have things like this; here, you can just come and buy whatever you want."

One of the video’s most talked-about moments is when she declares, "In Cuba, a child who brought such a notebook to school was like a millionaire; their family had money, their family lived abroad. Most used the basic notebooks provided by schools, where sometimes you wrote and couldn't even see what you wrote."

The video has prompted a wave of mixed reactions. Many applauded Lietty's genuine joy with comments like, "Congratulations for being so genuine," "It's beautiful to see your excitement," "It makes us appreciate what we have," and "Welcome to Mexico, warrior." Others expressed admiration, commenting, "You're beautiful inside and out," "Your freckles are cute," "What a lovely Cuban girl," or simply sent heart and smile emojis.

However, there were also condescending and sarcastic critiques. Some comments read, "Poor thing, she gets excited over nothing," "A beggar mentality," or "Like a kid with a new toy." Another user sarcastically noted, "Life is better in Cuba, right?" while another questioned, "When are you going back?"

Cultural and linguistic observations also arose. One person noted, "But she says 'glirer'... and in Spanish, we say 'glitter,'" referring to her accent and speech. Others asked, "What is 'yuma'?" or "Is everything at Waldo's really three pesos?"

Lietty Piña has had other viral moments. Earlier this year, she reflected on how basic items such as toilet paper, Coca-Cola, meat, and clothing are considered luxuries in Cuba. She also shared her migratory journey from Cuba to Mexico through Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala. Her 'first times' have included a visit to a Miniso store, which also stirred excitement and surprise due to the variety of products available.

Stories like Lietty Piña's highlight a reality faced by many Cubans who emigrate: the emotional confrontation with an everyday life they once only dreamed of. Her reaction upon entering Waldo's not only reveals astonishment but also a memory of shortages and a need to celebrate what was once deemed impossible. "I really love it," she repeats throughout the video, as if just beginning to believe that what she sees is truly real.