A reflection on nomadism

FROM A LAWYER TO A GLOBAL MOUNTAIN NOMAD UPDATE - A need to reflect on the fast moving nomad life since Oct 2022 - the time I left Peru without any address, obligations - 100% freedom.

Standing amidst the breathtaking grandeur of the Himalayas, I find myself engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions, each echoing the rhythm of my nomadic soul. Seven years of ceaseless wandering, advocating, and soul-searching have sculpted the landscape of my life with hues of purpose and passion, but lately, there's a subtle shift—a whisper of longing for stability amidst the boundless freedom of the road.

As a global mountain nomad, I've traced the contours of the world's most majestic peaks, each step a testament to my mission to make a difference, to lend a voice to the marginalized, to be a beacon of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness. Yet, beneath the surface of my unwavering commitment lies a yearning—a yearning for roots to anchor my restless spirit, for connections that endure beyond the transient nature of my journey.

The memory of Peru, with its tranquil moments and beloved feline companions, lingers like a bittersweet melody, reminding me of a time when joy and contentment converged in perfect harmony—a "sweet spot" amidst the chaos of life. Since their passing, I've been adrift, untethered from the sanctuary I once called home, navigating the world with no fixed address, no obligations, and no relationships to tie me down. Since leaving Peru in 2022, I've seen the best of the Andes, Patagonia, the Atlas mountains, Tatras Mountains, Karakoram, Hindukush and now I'm experiencing the best of Nepal's Himalayas. So much trekking for sure with so little time to sit down really and ask myself life questions to guide me towards the next chapter of my life as the sole writer of my story.

But as I tread the path of introspection, I'm confronted with questions that defy easy answers. Is it the nomadic lifestyle itself that pulls at my heartstrings, or is it the longing for the warmth of community, the familiarity of home? Am I seeking refuge from the unpredictability of the road, or am I simply yearning for the simplicity of stability, for the ease of access to the conveniences of modern life?

In my pursuit of purpose, I've borne witness to the resilience of the human spirit, to the beauty and the brokenness of the world. Through the lens of a wanderer, strangers become kindred spirits, and temporary abodes become sanctuaries of belonging. Yet, amidst the transient nature of my journey, I find myself craving something more—a sense of rootedness, a place to call my own, a community to belong to. As a Filipina, there's the intricacies involved in decolonizing myself - as I continue to ask the question, can I still belong in the birth country that I left decades ago? Belongingness is erratic and can only last for a moment, not a lifetime. Would I be ok with that?

Am I wrong to live my life based solely on a purpose? I have foregone the thought of having a family, marriage, raising kids and really just about any conventional type of life that most humans acquire so naturally. How does a global nomad evolve and grow without such conventional elements in life? They say I can write a book about this journey, but I have yet to even write one paragraph about it with the intention to write pages and pages about this life I chose. Even the decision to do that is complex in my mind - who would care about the life of a nomad and can readers really relate to such an unconventional life I chose? Marrying a mountain for one - whether a metaphor or not, is just an extreme way of living one's life. But then realizing the gravity of the choices I made, I'm engulfed with a sense of awe - that most certainly people will want to know why I have made such choices in the first place. My story is not "crazy" or unconventional in that sense.

No, it isn't. It's rather amazing.

As I navigate the winding path of self-discovery, I'm reminded that life is not just about purpose—it's about presence, about finding meaning in the ordinary moments, in the quiet whispers of the soul. Whether amidst the towering peaks of the Himalayas or the bustling streets of Washington, DC, there is beauty to be found in the stillness of the present moment, in the embrace of connection, in the simple act of being.

So, as I continue to wander, I'll let my heart be my compass, guiding me towards the balance between purpose and presence, between freedom and stability. For in the dance of life, every step is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and every moment holds the possibility of renewal and transformation. Perhaps it's merely a case of "the grass is greener on the other side." Tomorrow I will wake up again, excited to trek on the next mountain on my list - there's Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, India, Iran and many more on my list. If there's anything I've learned over the past 7 years of being a full-time global mountain nomad - it's this -

Traveling isn't perfect and neither am I. In that regard, nomadism isn't for everyone. It's for a select few who has mastered the balance between solitude and noise, between the mundane and the exciting, between belonging and being an outsider, between predictability and unscripted adventure, and more.

So on this solo nomadic journey,

I will continue to be confused.

To question my choice to be a nomad.

To dance when I'm overjoyed.

To carry my grief quietly on this journey.

To talk to strangers.

To live in between mountain homes.

To be an observer of earth and the humans living in it.

To say hello only to say goodbye.

To trek above 5000 meters.

To travel endlessly with no clear end in sight.

To just be.

This is me in human form - the best the world will ever get from me. I go wherever my heart takes me against the practicalities that my ego dictates on a regular basis, because more than anything, I only live to feel alive, not dead inside.

Hence, I will never wish my lifestyle upon you - it comes with the best of life and also an immense amount of dedication, commitment and responsibility to myself and the entire world. And should I dare say - at times, it feels like it also comes inevitably with a few big sacrifices.

Stay tuned for the next chapter.

#browngaltrekker #equityglobaltreks #theportervoicecollective