A Cuban woman living in Tenerife, known on TikTok as Amanda Cubana en Tenerife (@liubisamandarodriguez), recently shared the story of her return trip to Cuba from the Canary Islands. The journey, which took place around 13 or 14 years ago, was described by her as even more challenging than the trip to Spain.
Her tale begins at the Tenerife airport, where her brother dropped her off with two suitcases weighing 23 kilograms each, a carry-on bag of 10 kilograms, and a flat-screen television that he had purchased for 300 euros. In Cuba, that same TV model was valued at an equivalent of 900 euros.
The flight to Madrid was delayed due to a mechanical issue with the aircraft. "The plane from Madrid arrived damaged, and it would take time to fix it," Amanda recounted. By the time they landed at Barajas Airport, the Air Europa flight to Cuba—scheduled for three in the afternoon—had already departed.
The airline arranged accommodations for the stranded passengers at the Hotel Presidente in Madrid, a venue known for hosting conferences by then-Prince Felipe. However, before reaching the hotel, Amanda had to navigate the airport alone with all of her belongings, including the TV, unable to find a cart until a man offered assistance.
The first hotel shuttle bus driver refused to transport the TV due to its size. Amanda stood her ground, stating, "If the TV doesn't go, neither do I because I have to take my TV." Eventually, a female driver agreed to help. The next day, a similar scene unfolded with another driver, but this time the larger bus with a luggage compartment posed no issue.
Transporting appliances on trips to Cuba is a well-known practice, Amanda acknowledged. "But who would think to take a TV such a long distance, to another faraway country? Well, Cubans would, who else?" she joked. This tradition, which has persisted for decades, is a response to the chronic shortages and exorbitant prices on the island, where a flat-screen TV can cost three times as much as in Spain.
The challenges didn't cease upon landing in Havana. Amanda resides in Camagüey, over 500 kilometers from the capital, and had tickets for travel that same day. Her children's father had brought them from Camagüey to Havana to welcome her, but the one-day delay disrupted everything. "It was all a problem, a chaos," she summarized. They had to reschedule and pay again for all the return tickets to the province, using tourist transportation services whose exact name she couldn't recall.
Eventually, she reached Camagüey with her luggage and the television. "I had a TV in Cuba, in color and everything, but it wasn't modern, not a flat-screen or anything like that," she explained to justify the effort. She wasn't the first Cuban to endure such an experience upon returning to the island, nor will she be the last.
Amanda concluded her story with a reflection that resonated with her followers: "This happens to everyone, especially to us Cubans wandering the world. Kisses."
Challenges of Traveling to Cuba with Electronics
Why do Cubans bring electronics from abroad?
Cubans often bring electronics from other countries due to the chronic shortages and high prices of such items on the island, where products like flat-screen TVs can cost significantly more than in places like Spain.
What are the common challenges faced when traveling back to Cuba with bulky items?
Traveling with large items like televisions can lead to logistical issues, such as difficulty finding assistance or transportation willing to accommodate the size of the items, as well as additional costs and delays.