Have you ever found yourself dreaming of returning to Cuba only to realize you can't make it back to the United States? If so, you're not alone. The Cuban TikTok personality, @marky_barrera, recently shared a video that struck a chord with many, as he humorously yet dramatically described his recurring nightmare: dreaming of traveling to Cuba without having legal residence in the U.S. and getting stuck there.
In the video, Marky recounts the nerve-wracking experience of waking up at the peak of the dream, heart racing, only to be relieved to find himself still in the U.S. "I can't possibly be the only one who dreams this," he exclaims, encouraging his followers to share their experiences. His call was met with a flood of comments from others sharing similar "traumas." One follower mentioned, "In my dream, I end up sitting in my hometown park wearing plastic sandals." Another confessed, "I thought I was the only one having these nightmares."
Shared Anxiety Among Cuban Expatriates
Many related to the so-called "migratory nightmare," expressing relief upon waking up still in America. Comments poured in like, "I wake up crying with my heart pounding," and "I cry in my dream because I can't return, and when I wake up, I thank God I'm still here." It seems this dream is a common theme among Cubans living abroad, especially those without legal residency. Even some who have obtained residency admit to still having the nightmare: "This dream is something we Cubans share," noted one follower, while another, who has been away for years, continues to dream of being trapped on the island.