With a hilarious video on TikTok, Cuban influencer @yaisyvega has captured the essence of Cuban resourcefulness, leaving audiences in stitches. She humorously illustrates how in a Cuban household, everything finds a new purpose rather than being discarded. Her comedic narrative details the transformation of everyday items into entirely different uses, showcasing the ingenuity bred by necessity.
"In our Cuban homes, a towel's life ends but a mop is born; a blouse ceases to exist and transforms into a rag for kitchen or furniture cleaning; a yogurt bag becomes a meat storage bag; an ice cream container finds new life as a freezer storage pot; and a beer can turns into a makeshift popsicle mold," @yaisyvega explains in her video. She concludes with a statement that earned applause: "We Cubans are the saviors of the environment, we truly know how to recycle."
The video sparked a wave of reactions blending laughter, nostalgia, and a touch of reflection on everyday practices in Cuba driven by scarcity. One viewer commented, "In a Cuban home, nothing dies; everything must last 100 years." Another added with a chuckle, "A building collapses, and a little park with a few benches is born." Some joked with more extreme examples, like “A washing machine dies, and a fan is born.”
Resilient Creativity in Cuban Culture
Many comments echoed the experiences of those who grew up in Cuba or have ties to the island: "I believe you; I still remember visiting Havana and couldn't wrap my mind around bringing my own bag to the store because they didn't provide one." Others shared, "Necessity taught us that everything serves a purpose," and "An empty water bottle becomes a snack container." One person humorously admitted, "Drying the car with a holey pair of underwear, that's me." Applause for Cuban ingenuity was widespread: "That never fails, brilliant"; "The absolute truth"; "And they say the Chinese are the inventors."
While filled with humor, the video also delivers a poignant message about the creativity and resourcefulness that arise during challenging times. For Cubans, recycling isn't just a trend or an environmental strategy; it's a survival skill that showcases their adaptability.
Through her video, @yaisyvega connects with her audience, reminding them that behind every laugh lies a story of turning obstacles into solutions, all with a dash of humor and, without a doubt, a lot of Cuban spirit.