There are a few foods that will accompany you through large parts of the African continent: the infamous roasted chicken, fried banana and plantains; in the tropics, yams and sweet potato. And of course, Africa's version of polenta: fufu, ugali, sadza, pap... Pap might be the most fitting name for the cheap staple food that those who can afford it will have with soups, vegetables, and meat while those who can't will have it as is, with a with tomatoes.

Some readers might think it's crazy to go and eat street food in Africa. They have seen the images of meat buzzing with flies in the hot African sun. Well, if it makes you feel any better: cooked meat is hard to come by on the streets; and if you find it it's been cooked until every last trace of life is gone. And by the way: the meat is usually really fresh - you can watch the butcher do his work right by the side of the road.