Valeria Gamallo has shared a video on her TikTok account, which has gone viral for detailing several unique aspects of life in the Canary Islands that she believes would surprise anyone from the mainland. Titled “Things that would surprise anyone from the mainland about the Canary Islands”, the content creator shares everyday details that have sparked debate and sympathy among users.
Cultural Curiosities
Among the most notable curiosities, Gamallo explains that in Canary Islands supermarkets, ice creams are sold individually in freezers, rather than in family-sized boxes, which is uncommon on the mainland. She also points out that in the archipelago, buses are called “guaguas” and flip-flops are referred to as “cholas”, while expressions like “mucho” or “mazo” are replaced with the popular “fleje”.
Another cultural difference she mentions is the widespread use of cholas: “Literally, everyone walks around in flip-flops in the city, not just at the beach,” Gamallo recounts, even sharing the anecdote of a teacher who comes to school in cholas.
Gastronomic Delights
On the gastronomic front, she highlights the popularity of Tirma, a chocolate bar that she compares to “huesitos,” but adds, “they taste much better”. She also alludes to a very characteristic feature of the coastal landscape: black sand beaches, common in Tenerife and throughout the archipelago.
@valeriagamall The journey is extremely fun #canarias #peninsula #parati #pti #gc ♬ original sound – Valeria
Surprising Observations
Lastly, she mentions the abundance of cockroaches on the streets and the presence of urchins in the parks, details that have surprised her followers and elicited thousands of comments from those who recognise these realities or discover them for the first time.
Valeria Gamallo’s video has already amassed thousands of interactions and contributes to a growing trend on TikTok: showcasing daily life in the Canary Islands and the cultural differences with the mainland, thus reinforcing the archipelago’s unique identity in the digital realm.
