As 2024 draws to a close, a humorous and poignant letter from Uncle Matt "The Traveler," a character from the puppet series Fraggle Rock, has gone viral on social media. The letter humorously details the challenges of preparing a traditional Cuban New Year's Eve dinner. Shared by the Kuba King profile on Facebook, the letter supposedly comes from the iconic character who, in the TV series, would share tales of his global adventures with his nephew.
This time, Uncle Matt writes to his nephew Kuba, employing irony to highlight the scarcity of resources, exorbitant prices, and the fragmentation of Cuban families. It paints a picture of a Cuba vastly different from the one he left behind when he emigrated.
The letter begins with a nostalgic tone: "I remember, nephew, when the whole family could still gather together. Those were beautiful moments, but this has dwindled, you know. It's very sad to see how this year-end many families will only see each other through a phone camera, but, well, it's all that can be done, unfortunately."
Challenges of Maintaining Traditions
From there, Uncle Matt narrates the ordeal he faced trying to uphold the tradition of preparing an end-of-year meal. With sarcastic humor, he describes his trip to the market where he encountered outrageous prices: "I arrived at the butcher and asked the price of a pound of clean meat. He told me 1,500 pesos. It wasn't enough for him to stab the pig; he wanted to stab me too. Thank God I took my blood pressure pill early that day, or else they would have had to pick me up stiffer than the pig on the counter."
He eventually managed to purchase two pounds of pork and the pig's tail for a congrí, though his joy was short-lived upon realizing he still needed other essential ingredients.
The Market's Unbearable Costs
Continuing his market journey, he faced more impossible prices: "I went to the rice and beans vendor. My God, everything is so expensive! I think it was imported, at least from India. With all my accumulated resolve, I had to buy it, you know. After leaving the rice stall, I noticed I only had 1,000 pesos left in my wallet, and I hadn't bought any seasoning or vegetables yet."
The viral post includes an image of Uncle Matt proudly holding a package of hot dogs, described as "a bright spot in all that darkness," referencing the effort and frustration involved in obtaining it amid high prices and scarcity.
Letter from Uncle Matt "The Traveler"
Dear Nephew Kuba: I'm writing these lines to tell you about the beginning of my odyssey to prepare the famous New Year's Eve meal, which becomes more impossible to realize each passing year.
I remember, nephew, when the whole family could still gather together. Those were beautiful moments, but this has dwindled, you know. It's very sad to see how this year-end many families will only see each other through a phone camera, but, well, it's all that can be done, unfortunately.
To continue with this letter, I left a few weeks before the year-end rush because if not, I wouldn't even be able to buy a pack of hot dogs. I got up early on Sunday and headed to the nearest market with a small amount of savings I had been setting aside for months.
Upon arriving at the market, I went straight for the heaviest item, yes, pork. I arrived at the butcher and asked for the price of a pound of clean meat. He told me 1,500; it wasn't enough for him to stab the pig; he wanted to stab me too. Thank God I took my blood pressure pill early that day, or else they would have had to pick me up stiffer than the pig on the counter.
Well, I made the effort and bought 2 pounds and snagged the pig's tail for the beans and to make a good congrí (I'll get to that part). I left the butcher and headed for the rice and beans vendor. My God, everything is so expensive! I think it was imported, at least from India. With all my accumulated resolve, I had to buy it, you know. Upon leaving the rice stall, I noticed I only had 1,000 pesos left in my wallet, and I hadn't bought any seasoning or vegetables for the following week.
Oh my God, how much longer until Yakelin's payday? So, I went to the vegetable stall and bought some pounds of sweet potatoes because I had already gotten the most important thing for the year-end. What a year-end, nephew! I went to the spice vendor, and it was a sight to suffer. I didn't even ask the guy why everything was so expensive, lest he blames the blockade, and then I would have to put the bag over his head, nephew.
I ended up buying Goya seasoning, you know, which is the go-to solution, there's nothing else. I still had 400 pesos left, and incredibly, I found a Mipyme selling a pack of hot dogs for 350, a bright spot in all that darkness. That phrase reminds me of something. THAT'S A STORY, I'VE ALREADY TOLD YOU.
Dear nephew, I attach a photo with my triumphant pack of hot dogs.
Common Questions About Year-End Celebrations in Cuba
What are the traditional foods for New Year's Eve in Cuba?
Traditional foods for New Year's Eve in Cuba typically include roast pork, congrí (a dish made with rice and black beans), yuca (cassava), and plantains. These dishes are often accompanied by a variety of local spices and seasonings.
How have economic conditions affected Cuban New Year's celebrations?
Economic conditions, including high inflation and scarcity of resources, have significantly impacted Cuban New Year's celebrations. Many families struggle to afford traditional foods and often have to make do with less or substitute ingredients.
Why is family fragmentation a concern in Cuban society?
Family fragmentation in Cuban society is a concern due to the emigration of many Cubans seeking better opportunities abroad. This has led to families being separated across different countries, often relying on technology to stay connected during significant occasions like New Year's Eve.