Ely, a Cuban social media influencer also known as @elyenpijama on TikTok, recently went viral when she shared the story of how her much-anticipated surprise visit to Cuba was derailed by an unexpected leak.
Ely had meticulously planned this secret trip for months, eager to astonish her mother and reunite with her family after a lengthy period apart. "I usually don't keep surprises because I rely on my family to help buy tickets. But this time, I wanted to do it all by myself," she explained. To throw them off the scent, she even told them she wouldn't be traveling for several more months, though her flight was imminent.
Confident in her plan, Ely enlisted the help of her son's grandmother, from the father's side, to arrange a taxi pickup at the airport. Since she knew this side of the family was not in touch with hers, she figured it would be a cost-effective way to avoid the high fees of airport taxis. However, the plan was foiled when the news leaked. "There's always someone who spoils surprises," she laughed. Her son's father learned of her trip and, in an unusual move, went to his parents in Cuba, claiming Ely had requested a car for that very day.
Ely detailed that the money involved was part of a familial arrangement where her parents send her euros from abroad, and in return, the equivalent in local currency is given to her son's father, due to the inability to make direct transfers from Cuba. Unfortunately, this coincidence ruined the surprise. "I found out just before takeoff," she shared. "Everything would have gone smoothly if I had just paid more for a taxi at the airport, but surprises always come with risks."
Despite the mishap, Ely's mother was slightly annoyed by the premature revelation but handled the situation with humor and warmth. "My mom cleaned the house, set up mosquito nets, and awaited me with all the love in the world," Ely recounted. "Being with family is what matters; money can be earned again, but moments can't be replaced."
The video garnered tens of thousands of views and was flooded with affectionate comments. "You're terrible at surprises," joked one follower. Others highlighted the importance of family reunions: "Just soak up the love, it's the best thing." Ely responded gratefully: "Being close to mom is wonderful. Happy New Year to everyone and thank you for all the support."