Two weeks in Venice felt both too long and too short. The city itself was a contrast in so many ways, narrow streets only allowing the width of one person opening to large piazzas and open squares, the main streets alive and bustling with tourists whilst other areas quiet, silent and still, and the overlay of the walking streets by another grid of canals, only experienced by water. The city itself is amazing, with so much history and culture engrained in every brick, and when you consider the mammoth task of practically building a landform up from scratch, it really is such a mind blowing feat. Because without human intervention, the lagoon that is Venice would no longer be. But the main sights to see and experiencing the city could be consumed in a couple of days, so in a way I overextended my stay. But what I lost in time, I gained through the irreplaceable experience of studying in another country. Because study akin to work, makes you take a step back and settle down, you begin to walk routes every day, and the absolute maze of lanes and streets, crisscrossing and dead ends begins to make a little bit of sense. A sense of familiarity arises as you pick up common phrases, and frequent the same cafes, know where to get the cheapest drinks and revisit your favourite restaurants. And that is the essence of travelling for me, not the tourist attractions of amazing landmarks but immersing yourself in a culture, so unique and different from home.