This was the first time I visited an art museum. There were so many things which I had never seen before.
This was also the first time I went to such a magnificent place and I could not help being nervous.
Perhaps it was too quiet in the museum or I was too loud, I felt that when I spoke, everyone could here my voice which made me very embarrassed.
There were numerous things that I had never seen before, such as relics, stone cravings, ornaments of different cultures. This visit was a real eye-opener to me.
Past tense was used because you were telling and describing what you had seen.
Please pay atttention to the tenses. As past tense were used, some actions or something which happened even before, past perfect tense would be used.
For words e.g.magnificent, embarassed, eye-opener, please visit the dictionary website
http://www.m-w.com/, then you will have an understanding of those words which I think they describe more appropriately what you wanted to say.
Hope it helps.