Recently I dined at a “dark restaurant”,     1     people eat in complete darkness,     2     (serve) by blind staff. I wanted to understand the experience of being blind, and I thought     3     (eat) would be the most difficult activity.

It was a difficult meal. Because we couldn’t see where anything was, my friend and I knocked over glasses and     4     (drop) food. My senses of taste and smell became more sensitive, and I ate much more     5     (slow). Pouring water was very difficult, plus I kept drinking from my friend’s glass.

After     6     (fail) to pick up any food with a fork, I decided to use my hands. I reached down,     7     (expect) rice and vegetables, but instead I stuck my hand into a bowl of warm, thick soup. “It’s best to use a spoon for this course,” the waiter said into my ear, helpfully but much too late. Even using a spoon, most of the soup ended up on my shirt. I felt     8     (embarrass), even though no one could see me.

Our waiter advised us     9     (lift) the plates and bowls close to our faces. However, I still left the restaurant with a sense of     10     (hungry), though I was much more aware of the challenges that blind people face.

4 . I still remember my first time going to the Chinese company's canteen. When I stepped onto the elevator, each one was full of people.     1       However, there was no sign of fire and people were laughing and talking. I followed the flow of the crowd to the doors of the canteen. It occurred to me that in China everyone has lunch almost at the same time.     2    The canteen followed this schedule, only being open a few hours per day.

When I stood in the doorway, I realized I had to act fast or I would be left behind.     3     Unlike my school lunchroom, here everyone lined up and took a tray, and instead of silverware there were chopsticks and soup spoons.

As I was pushed along the line, I saw dishes I didn't recognize and as people cut in line and picked up dishes left and right,     4     I ended up taking a pork and cucumber dish and a tofu salad.

I have been at my company for over a year and a half.     5     I have learned what dishes I like, mostly by trial and error, and a lot of the workers know me and say hello to me.

I am still getting used to eating lunch at "lunchtime", but I think the schedule definitely helps keep me on track during the day. I wish there were something like this at offices in my hometown.