A 22-year-old Cuban woman, who had never set foot in a supermarket outside her home country, became the center of attention on Instagram this week. Known as @pouziiuwu_ on the platform, she boasts over 130,000 followers and recently shared a reel on Wednesday capturing her inaugural shopping trip in the Dominican Republic. The video swiftly garnered widespread attention, with viewers captivated by her awe, excitement, and the stark contrast she drew with the scarcity she left behind in Cuba.
From the very outset of the video, her emotions are palpable: "Welcome to my first supermarket in the Dominican Republic. This place is incredible. My goodness, the fruit is so beautiful it looks like it's made of plastic. Never in my 22 years have I seen such vibrant fruits."
A Surreal Experience for a Cuban Shopper
What might be a mundane market visit for a Dominican was, for her, an almost otherworldly experience.
The content creator walks through the aisles with her camera, constantly pointing out details: the variety of sweets, makeup products, and household items. "Supermarkets here literally have everything, from makeup to a bunch of super cute things," she remarks in the video.
One particularly striking moment was her reaction to the store's layout: "This supermarket has two floors, so how do you get the cart up? This is the thing that’s a rolling platform. Technology, mom." For countless Cubans familiar with empty shelves, an escalator for carts indeed represents a technological marvel.
A Warm Welcome in the Dominican Republic
She also noted that prices "aren't expensive" and expressed surprise at the warmth of the Dominican people: "The Dominican Republic is paradise, and the people here are wonderful. You ask them something, and they start talking to you like they've known you forever."
The reel quickly amassed over 36,500 likes and 854 comments within just 24 hours, making it one of the most viral videos of the week among content related to the Cuban diaspora.
The video is part of a growing trend known as the "supermarket shock," where Cubans, upon leaving the island for the first time, react with disbelief at the abundance of basic goods that are scarce or non-existent in Cuba. A 15-year-old Cuban girl in a Dominican supermarket racked up 1.9 million views on a video posted on July 6, and influencer "La Pitón" went viral on June 30 when she tried a Burger King hamburger for the first time, also in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic: A Haven for Cuban Travelers
The Dominican Republic has emerged as a favored destination for Cubans emigrating or traveling abroad. More than 100,000 Cubans visited the country in 2025, and 1,245 gained legal residency in just the first eight months of that year, according to the Dominican Republic's General Directorate of Migration.
@pouziiuwu_ wrapped up the video with an invitation to her followers: "Comment on what you'd like to see in my next video and join me on this adventure."
Exploring Cuban Influencer's Impact on Social Media
What was the Cuban influencer's initial reaction to the Dominican supermarket?
She was filled with awe and excitement, marveling at the vibrant fruits and the overall abundance, which was a stark contrast to the shortage she was accustomed to in Cuba.
Why has the Dominican Republic become a popular destination for Cubans?
The Dominican Republic is favored for its welcoming environment and because it provides an opportunity for Cubans to experience an abundance of goods and warmth from the local people, which contrasts sharply with conditions in Cuba.
How did the public react to the influencer's supermarket video?
The video quickly went viral, accumulating over 36,500 likes and 854 comments within 24 hours, indicating a strong engagement from her audience.