In Bangladesh

Incidentally, dhal is a shield used in battle. The lentil preparation is daal. The two sounds are distinct in Indian languages.

In defence of the OP, who can eat only daal three times a day?

Sometimes it's just a matter of expectations but it's easy to know that Bangladesh is not a touristy country and that it doesn't have a 'veg' tradition. That said it's easy to find delicious vegetables, curries, fruits and desserts everywhere.No need to eat daal all the time, that's just served with rice. Tried the delicious street food in Old Dhaka? I agree after a while it can be monotonous, but just for 2 or 3 weeks...? Am, I'm looking forward to going back to one of the friendiest countries I know...

Its one of the world's poorest countries, with one of the lowest levels of tourism in the world. So yes, people will stare at you, but i doesn't mean they are being hostile, they are usually just curious, and it is not rude for them to stare in their culture, as it is in most western cultures. Yes, animals are treated terribly, but when you see how many people are starving every day, and when you see things like policemen and shopkeepers beating people with sticks, then that becomes a moot point with so many people suffering. And yes, in a country where the vast majority is not vegetarian, you will not fine vege food easily. Yes, there is not so much to see and do as in India, which also means you will see hardly any other tourists. Yes, some hotels are dirty and over-priced, but there are plenty of good ones, so you must do more research to find better value ones.

Really, if you choose to visit Bangladesh on your own accord, you must expect all these things!! What else did you expect from here? At least look on the positive side of things; there is little hassle from the locals, and people go out of their way to look after you. You are lucky to meet Mahmud and have someone like him show you around, so try and get something positive out of your next trip!!!