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My name is Alex, and I was born in Argentina. In my country it’s not so common to meet people who have visited Africa, it's considered a really exotic destination and the few people that visit it, usually go to South Africa, Egypt or Morocco. My story with this continent actually began in Buenos Aires, when Ilan, a friend of mine, was preparing his 2nd trip to Africa, specifically to Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya. I was studying for my last exams to graduate as an Industrial Engineer dreaming about the idea of living a great adventure after finishing my studies. That was when I asked him to tell me more about that trip. And from that moment I got sick, but for sure I didn't notice. A few weeks later I got my tickets. I was very anxious about this trip but I really didn't know what to expect, I had a lot of uncertainty. I visited a few doctors, then I had to give myself some vaccines like Meningitis and Tetanus, and finally, I had to buy some malaria pills. All these things, I must admit that scared me a little, but much more to my family. The day has arrived, and on January 19th I left home. After 2 long days of airplanes, stops, and airports, I finally made it to Kigali, Rwanda where Ilan was already waiting for me. Rwanda was our first destination, followed by Uganda and finally, Kenya. We visited amazing places, appreciated beautiful landscapes and sighted a lot of animals, but the most beautiful part of the trip and what made this adventure unique was, without any doubt, the people. In each region, there were people with different cultures, each one with its own story to tell, it’s own challenges, sufferings, and joys but all of them with one thing in common, their indelible smile! In a few days, I realized that it was contagious and that these people do nothing but spread their joy, despite all their issues and our differences. In our 40-day trip, we shared very nice moments with the local people. Starting with the attempt to replicate an Argentine BBQ for the great Shema and his incredible family in Save, a remote Rwandan village, dyed by the reddish color of their lands and the green of their vegetation. Going through an incredible native Crayfish dinner with Kenneth and some of his friends from the village, under the moonlight in the heavenly Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda. Ending with the incredible experience of being able to share a Maasai wedding in a village on the outskirts of Narok, Kenya, with the great Fredy, his friends, and his mother who is one of the most hospitable people I met and the reason why I learned how to say “Ashe" which means “Thank you” in the Maasai language. But to be 100% honest, I cannot convey my experience only in words, it's an adventure that everybody should experience on its own. I know that perhaps most people will look for excuses not to go to those places, like strange diseases or unknown dangers. But, if you are one of those, you will have to work harder because the strangest and most difficult to cure disease is the one I’ve got this summer: “Mal D´Afrique” in English it´s called “the African sickness”. As a great friend taught me, it is a self-diagnosed disease that has no cure and that its main symptom is the need to return to that amazing continent to live new experiences. It is not always transmitted from human to human but in this case, I got it from him in Buenos Aires a while ago and thanks to that I undertook this unforgettable journey. Now, as a Mal D’Afrique’s diagnose infected person I hope to spread it, especially to you and my girlfriend. Also, I’m looking forward to learn uncountable ways to say “Ashe”.