Brown Gal Trekker & Equity Global Treks

08/20/2025

Grateful to have launched our tourism initiatives in Mongolia and Nepal via Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism: Competition .

Learn more about our Khusvegi English and Nomadic Culture Camp via https://lnkd.in/gZJbJfxX

and Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative via https://lnkd.in/gEuPQYgY

08/13/2025

From a lawyer to a global mountain nomad update - still loving the in between existence 8 years and counting.

Navigating life as a global mountain nomad has given me profound insights into identity and belonging. Of all the places I've lived and traveled, the most complex experience has been residing in the US and the Philippines—my two home countries as a Filipina American.

My recent stay in the Philippines has opened my eyes to why I often feel more comfortable anywhere but in the US or the Philippines. In countries like Peru, Mongolia, or Nepal, where I neither hold citizenship nor long-term residency, my role as an outsider is clear and easy to embrace. I’m visiting, passing through, a guest in these places—and that clarity brings freedom.

But in the US and the Philippines, where I claim citizenship and have called home, it’s always confusing. There’s a constant pull to belong fully, to fit into the defined cultural norms, but I never quite do. Whether it’s because of racism, colorism, or cultural expectations, I exist on the fringes—never fully American by traditional norms, nor fully Filipina by local definitions. I live in an in-between space, witnessing two worlds collide inside me.

That collision—felt most sharply in these “home” countries—is painful yet enlightening. It revealed why navigating identity is so much easier in Peru, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Morocco etc where I clearly stand as an outsider for a moment in time.

This is also why I find the mountains to be the place where I 100% belong. In the mountains, there’s no need to define what country or place I belong to. Nature accepts anybody, no matter where you come from. That connection to nature is real, unfiltered by culture or nationality — it’s a pure belonging that transcends human boundaries.

Living a life unrooted in any single place means grappling daily with ambiguity and discomfort. But that freedom—to belong everywhere and nowhere, and to find true belonging in the natural world—is what truly shapes who I am. It's me truly.

It's Brown Gal Trekker.

Follow my journey and subscribe via www.browngaltrekker.com

Join our equity driven treks via https://www.browngaltrekker.com/bgtequityglobaltreks

08/06/2025

The Gift of Time

There was a time in my life when I didn’t know what rest felt like. From the moment I turned 16, my life was a relentless pursuit of academic and professional success. I worked hard, pushed myself, climbed ladders. Eventually, I became a lawyer in Washington, DC—and for nearly 15 years, I gave everything to that career. Unpaid overtime, endless hours, constant burnout. I barely had time to breathe, let alone take care of myself or nurture relationships with family and friends.

My days were full—but my soul was empty.

When I made the decision to walk away from that life, to create what eventually became Brown Gal Trekker and the nomadic life I now lead, I didn’t fully understand what I was choosing. I only knew I wanted to feel alive again.

Now, I have the gift of time.
And that, to me, is the greatest form of wealth.
These days, there are moments when I have nothing on my calendar. No deadlines. No meetings. No “to do” lists that take over my soul. Just naps. Quiet reflection. Unscheduled days where I choose how, where, and with whom I want to spend my time. Some might call it boring. But to me, it’s a quiet kind of abundance.

For the past 8 years, I’ve lived in full ownership of my time. It’s a freedom that comes with immense responsibility—but also incredible joy. I don’t take it for granted. Every single day, I remind myself: nothing beats the freedom of time. Time to be at peace. Time to find joy. Time to be fully me.

And for that, I will always be grateful. Follow my journey via www.browngaltrekker.com

Photo: A year ago being happily bored alone in the Fann mountain of Tajikistan.

08/01/2025

Ready for an adventure like no other? Our exclusive women-led migration tour will immerse you in the stunning landscapes of Central Asia, offering a truly unique cultural experience. The trip is open to all genders. Join us in September!

Highlights:

Eagle Hunting Festival: Witness the awe-inspiring tradition of eagle hunting, a centuries-old practice and a thrilling spectacle.

Incredible Scenery: Travel through breathtaking landscapes—majestic mountains, vast steppes, and vibrant valleys.

Cultural Immersion: Meet local nomadic families, learn ancient traditions, and explore rich heritage.

Empowerment & Connection: Travel with like-minded women and experience the world in a way that celebrates both empowerment and adventure.

This is more than just a trip; it's a journey that will leave you inspired, connected, and enriched.

Limited spots – Don’t miss out! Book your spot now and secure your place on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Book now:
https://www.browngaltrekker.com/mongolia/womenledmigration

07/30/2025

49 at the Beach: A Love Letter to My Younger Self

Here I am—49 years old in a destination that worships youth. Golden sands, glowing bodies, sun-kissed skin with not a gray hair in sight. It’s easy for self-hatred to sneak in when you're surrounded by younger, skinnier, smoother versions of what the world deems “ideal.” I used to chase that version too.

But something shifted.

I’ve learned—am still learning—that the hardest love to master is the one we owe ourselves. Loving yourself when you're young can feel effortless, but looking back, I realize that love was often conditional. It depended on the number on the scale, the attention I received, the way clothes fit, the shape of my face.

Now, I sit here watching women in their 20s layering on the makeup, the clothes, the effort. I see their beauty, but also sometimes, their battle. And I can't judge—I was once one of them. I still have my days.

But here's the gift of age: self-love begins to transcend appearance. The need to impress dulls. Dolling up starts to feel more like performance art than necessity. You begin to spend more time being in a place, rather than posing in it.

You dress for you. Or not at all. Either way, it’s yours. And that freedom? That peace? That’s when the right people start showing up—drawn not to your image, but to your energy. There's more to us than just our looks. There's wisdom. There's the life you lived.

So if I could whisper something to my younger self, I’d say:

“You were beautiful from the start. You always will be. Let go of the mirror and live. There’s so much more waiting for you than what you look like.”

In a way it's a blessing I didn't live my 20s with social media as these days the level of pressure to be whatever society deems ideal is simply beyond limits. I make a clear choice of not being there for it.

Follow my journey via www.browngaltrekker.com

07/29/2025

Reflections from Coron, Palawan — As a Filipina and Founder of Khusvegi Camp

I’m here in Coron, surrounded by some of the most stunning waters and landscapes on Earth. But as a Filipina, it’s painful to watch how tourism is unfolding in my homeland.

Every day I see trash tossed into the sea. Local guides enabling guests to disturb marine life just to get the perfect underwater shot. Tourists focused entirely on themselves, obsessed with capturing moments for social media while ignoring the deeper stories of the place and its people.

It feels like everything is moving too fast, too shallow. And at times, I feel helpless—watching this beautiful place get swept up in a system of tourism that rewards profit over preservation, self-gratification over connection.

This is exactly the kind of model we actively resist at Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp in Mongolia.

At Khusvegi, we choose slow, intentional travel. We host only a handful of guests—those who come not just to see but to listen, to learn, and to be changed. They live alongside Kazakh nomadic families, learn how to thrive in a nomadic community, witness eagle hunting as a living tradition, and teach English in a space grounded in mutual respect.

The camp isn’t just about culture—it’s about justice.
It’s about flipping the script on a global industry that too often extracts more than it gives.

We need tourism that doesn’t just consume beauty, but protects it. That doesn’t perform connection, but lives it. That treats communities not as backdrops—but as leaders and collaborators.

Because we deserve better.
Our lands deserve better.
Our people deserve better.

Learn about our camp via https://www.browngaltrekker.com/mongolia/khusvegicamp

07/25/2025

After a week of back to back typhoons in Manila, we're now off to Coron for some beach time. Wishing for better weather.

Sun, 😎 I look forward to seeing you!

Follow my journey and subscribe via www.browngaltrekker.com

07/18/2025

Are you ever too old for dancing?

Don't let society tell you that dancing is only for the young.

The best dancers are those who gain wisdom and soul as they age. Every move more deliberate and intentional. You no longer dance to impress anyone.

You dance to be yourself.

From Mongolia's wilderness to Manila's dance floor, we are calling this chapter a vacation.

Follow my journey via www.browngaltrekker.com

07/14/2025

Tired as a co-founder of Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp.

3rd year.

70 kids learned English for 30 days.

4 foreigners became members of the nomadic community.

Unscripted.

I gave my all like always.

That's a wrap.

Rest underway.

Grateful.

Until next time, Mongolia.

See you soon, Manila.

Never in one place permanently but always home.

Love,

Brown Gal Trekker

07/14/2025

07/12/2025