The Cuban influencer Lisa Garci took to Instagram to share her experiences on her inaugural day in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, after recently leaving Cuba. Her reel, showcasing her journey through the Paseo del Conde, the waterfront, and Calle de las Damas, garnered thousands of likes and numerous comments.
At 29, with a following exceeding 100,000 on Instagram, Garci expressed amazement at something scarce in Cuba: electricity. "Welcome officially to my first day in Santo Domingo. I'm still in awe of everything I'm witnessing. I'm ecstatic, especially with the lights at night. There's so much light here!" she exclaimed in her video.
A Stark Contrast: From Darkness to Light
The jarring difference from her former life was evident throughout the reel. Lisa Garci had previously chronicled the frequent blackouts, shortages, and daily survival tactics in Cuba on her YouTube channel—reasons she cited for her departure.
While exploring the Dominican historic center, she compared the Paseo del Conde to Old Havana: "Old Havana, you are here, but this is just so beautifully stunning," she remarked.
Adjusting to a New Life
Accompanied by a local expert known as "Wii Wii," Garci navigated first-day tasks such as currency exchange and setting up a phone line. Her visit to a Dominican supermarket was another eye-opening moment. Among her purchases were items she described as nearly unattainable in Cuba: pesto sauce, grapes, yogurt, grape soda, and tuna.
"Pesto was incredibly hard to find in Cuba. Some places had it, but in very limited quantities," she explained while showcasing her acquisitions.
Bittersweet Departure
Her departure from the island, which she called "the worst and the best day" of her life, was marked by an emotional farewell at José Martí Airport, leaving behind her family, friends, pets, and her mother. The flight was delayed by roughly four hours.
FAQs about Lisa Garci's Move to Santo Domingo
Why did Lisa Garci leave Cuba?
Lisa Garci left Cuba due to frequent blackouts, shortages, and daily struggles, which she documented on her YouTube channel.
What surprised Lisa Garci the most in Santo Domingo?
Lisa was most surprised by the abundance of lights and electricity, which she found scarce in Cuba.
What items did Lisa Garci find in the Dominican supermarket that were rare in Cuba?
In the supermarket, Lisa found items like pesto sauce, grapes, yogurt, grape soda, and tuna, which she said were hard to come by in Cuba.