“The elders I met on my journey granted me access to community care, a way to move through the mourning of a bygone body, one unsteady step at a time.”
19 July 2024
Welcome to Travel Without Limits, a limited series dedicated to all things accessible travel. For World Disability Pride Month, we’ve asked some of our favourite Disabled travellers to share their most impactful experiences and transformative travels.
Experiencing Healing in Santa Elena
I lowered myself into the small bowl of a hot spring not far from where Abuelita was born in Santa Elena, Ecuador. Despite being near the Pacific Ocean, the health complex I was visiting is in a desert-like region. The pick-up truck I’d hailed from the main road dropped me off at a rocky dead-end, shouldered by a tiendita (a little store) and a little restaurant, plus two young women selling little health products to the pained who travel to the spring for relief.
Sharing Stories at the Spring
By the spring, “SILENCIO” was spray painted on the windows, alongside a list of medicinal properties of the mineral water. It was a tiny room.
“What hurts?” An older visitor asked in Spanish.
“How much time do you have?” I responded. We laughed and talked about joints, falls, and surgeries before diving into the history of the area. An elder revealed that a businessman discovered the site while logging for the railway in the early 1900s and shared tips about the best times to visit and other healing locations.
The Hot Spring Experience
Apart from the hot spring, there’s an indoor pool, a sauna, and a natural clay pit. I slid all over the massage table as the lady kneaded my arthritic hip and hand, my swollen joints, and the compressed nerves from various ailments. Laughter filled the air as I clutched the sides of the table.
The Importance of Community Care
A 50-something Afro-Ecuadorian woman pointed out how to navigate the clay pool, encouraging me to treat my body gently. This reminded me of the strong sense of community care present within Ecuador. Elders often share wisdom without being asked, imparting invaluable experiences and advice.
Experiences Beyond the Hot Springs
As I limped along the beach near my rented room on the coast, I overheard children shouting “¡Abuelita!” in a playful manner directed towards me. The joke about my young appearance juxtaposed with my disabilities was not lost on me. It is a reminder that disability knows no age, resonating deeply within the culture.
Conclusion: Embracing Accessible Travel
The talkative Afro-Ecuadorian recommended free municipal health services in Guayaquil, underscoring the accessible options available. Engaging with the local community allowed me to explore the beauty of Ecuador through a unique lens, where care, stories, and shared experiences contribute to a deeper understanding of life.
Indeed, the elders I met on my journey provided a pathway to community care, guiding me in the mourning of a bygone body, one unsteady step at a time.
