In 2016, desperate for a drastic change, Bex Band decided to walk the length of Israel with her husband: a 1000km trek including a dangerous crossing through the vast Negev desert. She'd never done anything like it before and the experience changed her life, building back her confidence and self-esteem. Three Stripes South tells the story of this transformative adventure battling heat, exhaustion, self-doubt and prejudice and the new life Bex built for herself when she got home, founding the Love Her Wild women's adventure community. 'Lacking confidence is something that a lot of women can relate to' says Bex. 'For me personally, it began at school with undiagnosed dyslexia and bullying. This fed into my adult years where I found myself in a vicious cycle of unhappy jobs and bouts of depression. I had low self-esteem and a belief that I really wasn't capable of achieving much in life.' Fast forward to today and Bex has transformed her life, tackling gender inequality in adventure travel, and championing women in the outdoors through regular talks, blogging and leading women on adventures all over the world. Nominated for multiple awards for her work advocating women in adventure, her story is an inspiration.

Autorentext

By Bex Band

Zusammenfassung
Three Stripes South travel narrative - The story of Bex Band's 1,000km trek along the Israel National Trail that inspired the Love Her Wild Women's Adventure Movement; an inspirational and transformative adventure memoir.

Inhalt

Chapter 1 Arriving in Israel I'm nervous about the huge and daunting task that lays ahead of me. I share how I came to hear about the Israel National trail and how I convinced my husband to quit his job and our life in London so we can take on this hike together.

Chapter 2 The story of how I lost my confidence and why being left with such low self-esteem compelled me to take on a 1000km hike. I share how I prepared for the hike and how the day before I have serious doubts if I can complete it.

Chapter 3Our first days on the trail are impossibly tough. Just when I think we've got enough to contend with Gil gets sick and we are ‘attacked' by a low flying helicopter. Can I really do this?

Chapter 4My thoughts are consumed with one thing only, wanting to quit. As I pass the first week on the trail and pass 100km though I start to appreciate small amazing moments that the trail brings.

Chapter 5A question from another hiker, ‘why are you doing this?' makes me reflect on my motivations. Am I just doing this to prove that I'm good enough after years of feeling like I'm not? We make it to Zichron Ya'akov our first huge milestone on the trail.

Chapter 6We see through the hike how Israel is a country of separation and conflict. Still, we experience nothing but generosity from the Israeli people we pass. The trail takes us along the coast, past Tel Aviv and on to Jerusalem.

Chapter 7Reflecting back on the preparations for the trail, one of the hardest parts was telling people and the criticisms that came from that. I realise judgements have consumed my work and life choices. My blog starts to do well and I am even recognised by a reader for the first time. Is this the start of a new career for me?

Chapter 8We are suddenly in the desert, the most difficult and dangerous part of the hike. Can we complete the hardest week on the trail and conquer the infamous Mount Karbolet?

Chapter 9In the desert life becomes routine and simple and I can feel myself changing. I have lots of thinking time and work though some of the worries I have about life and not fitting in or knowing where home is. Life in the desert is simple and makes more sense.

Chapter 10Life continues in the desert. Passing a group of people, always men, the early stages of an idea start to form for Love Her Wild. I talk about doing an outdoor course in preparation for the trek and the sexism I experienced.

Chapter 11We spend 2 nights in Neot Smadar, one of the last remaining full kibbutz in Israel. It's an interesting experience!

Chapter 12The end of the trail is so near. I talk about the concept that ‘the trail provides' a popular hikers phrase and also retell the horrible moment I take a fall and cut my head.

Chapter 13We join a group of Israeli young men for our penultimate day on the trail. I miss female company! I reflect on the gender imbalance in the outdoors and the sexism I've experienced. I tell Gil about an idea I have to organise a women's only adventure called the Everest Adventure and to launch a group so I can encourage more women to get outdoors.

Chapter 14Our last emotional day hiking the length of Israel.

Chapter 15The time that follows the trek. I feel like I have so many opportunities ahead of me and more confidence than I ever had before. I launch the Everest Adventure, pick a final team and start to see the early success of Love Her Wild as the community grows larger than I ever imagined.

Chapter 16Doing the Everest Adventure challenge with the team that I chose. Nothing goes to plan and we fail the expedition, however in doing so we discover greater things and the ethos of Love Her Wild is set.

Chapter 17Two years on and I am back in the desert of Israel but this time leading a team of women on an expedition. I reflect on how Love Her Wild has grown into a community of over 10k, with so many exciting opportunities, awards, talks, etc coming my way. I'm happy, content and living life on my terms and all thanks to going on an adventure!