Describe a time when you tried a new kind of food

I'd like to describe the first time I tried sushi, which was about four years ago. I'd always been a bit suspicious of the idea of eating raw fish, so whenever friends suggested going to a Japanese restaurant, I made excuses. But one evening, my colleague Nodira invited me to celebrate her birthday at a sushi place, and I felt it would be rude to refuse.

The restaurant was small and elegant, with soft lights and a conveyor belt that carried little plates around the room. I was nervous when I sat down, and I think Nodira noticed, because she suggested that I begin with something simple: a roll with cooked prawn, avocado and cucumber. She also showed me how to use chopsticks and how to dip the sushi lightly in soy sauce. The first bite was a surprise. The rice was slightly sweet and sticky, the filling was fresh and creamy, and the whole thing was light but satisfying.

Encouraged, I tried salmon next. It was soft, almost melting in my mouth, and not fishy at all, which was what I'd feared. By the end of the meal, I'd eaten about twelve pieces and even tasted a little wasabi, which made my eyes water.

I would definitely eat it again, and in fact I now go to sushi restaurants about once a month. The experience taught me not to judge food before trying it. Stepping out of my comfort zone turned out to be both delicious and fun.