For my elective placement I have come to Malawi in Sub-Saharan Africa.  I have never been to Africa and do not know what to expect.  My aims are to experience first hand the health care system in a developing country, see what place evidence based nursing has here and, of course get to know the people and the country.  What can I say about Africa?  Exasperating, hot, shocking, addictive, religious, sad, joyous, friendly, corrupt, dangerous, poor in purse but rich in spirit….I could go on.  No amount of reading can prepare you for Africa.  Like many of the western visitors I meet whilst I am there, I am simultaneously appalled by it, and yet love it.  Africa as they rightly say gets under your skin.