The Cuban content creator @maryfra.21 recently took to TikTok to express her excitement over fulfilling a childhood dream: purchasing a lava lamp—something that seemed unattainable for years while living in Cuba.
"Since I was a child, I've always wanted to own a lava lamp. My fascination with them began when I saw them for the first time in the movie 'Shark Tale'," she shared in her video.
Maryfra explained that upon discovering lava lamps existed in reality, she promised herself she would get one someday, although doing so in Cuba was impossible. "I thought, no, no, no, I have to have a lava lamp. But imagine, where in Cuba would I find one?" she said, chuckling.
Living in Mexico now, she seized the opportunity during a trip to the capital to find her dream lamp. "They sell them in Cancun, but they're very expensive, around 700 pesos. So, taking advantage of being in Mexico City, where everything is cheaper, I found mine just as I wanted, in pink, for 369 pesos," she elaborated, visibly thrilled. "I'm so happy and eager to get home and set up my little lamp," she concluded.
The Cuban's video, posted a few days ago, has garnered thousands of views and over 6,000 likes, sparking a wave of reactions on social media. Some users joked about the situation, with messages like "In Cuba, it would have been a lamp without light," while others celebrated her joy with comments like "Congratulations on your happiness. We should all be like you."
There were also messages of admiration and support, such as "I'm glad you're fulfilling your dreams" and "Enjoy your tastes, you deserve it." However, some opinions critiqued the cost or the trendiness of lava lamps: "They're out of style; that was like 15 years ago," another user remarked.
Beyond the humor, many internet users highlighted the underlying message of the video: the satisfaction of achieving small wishes that are unattainable in Cuba due to scarcity and low wages. Maryfra's story is part of a growing trend of Cubans abroad sharing on social media the everyday achievements that were once out of reach on the island.
In recent months, numerous Cubans residing in Mexico have posted similar videos showcasing their new lives outside the island and enjoying basic freedoms that are unimaginable in Cuba. In all cases, nostalgia blends with gratitude for being able to access simple things, such as buying an appliance or decorating their home without restrictions.
Meanwhile, in Cuba, power outages, inflation, and shortages continue to impact daily life, making stories like Maryfra's a symbolic reflection of the stark contrast between life inside and outside the country. It's yet another illustration of how scarcity in Cuba turns the simplest dreams into impossibilities.
Lava Lamps: A Symbol of Freedom for Cubans Abroad
Why are lava lamps significant to Cubans like Maryfra?
Lava lamps symbolize the ability to fulfill desires that were once unattainable in Cuba due to the country's scarcity and economic restrictions.
How have Cuban expatriates expressed their newfound freedoms?
Many Cubans living abroad have shared videos and stories on social media about enjoying basic freedoms, such as purchasing goods and decorating their homes, which were restricted in Cuba.