Erasmus (ARTEX & Pisa visits)
We were not at the school today; instead we went to an ARTEX workshop about entrepreneurship with the Finnish students. On the way there we tried to catch a bus but all the other students got in leaving us behind as the doors shut! Instead we walked through Florence to the workshop it was nice to see things we would not have done if we caught the bus.
The workshop was based around the traditional and artistic handicraft of Tuscany. “Artex operates for the protection, innovation and development of artistic and traditional production”. They explained the main materials used in their products and how they work with smaller companies (Artour Toscana) to intercept the Italian and foreign tourists, draw attention to smaller tourist centers and highlight the cultural link between business and territory. Artex connects Tuscan companies with quality U.S. stores and helps promote their business in a worldwide market. Artex also aids more structured companies, especially with their participation in trade fairs and exhibitions.
Tuscany Enterprises is also a section within Artex that looks specifically at research and innovation. They specialize in experimental works for handicraft, interact electronic and traditional materials and customize products using a 3D scanner for advanced manufacturing in 2D and 3D. They often work with universities in Italy and other countries, art students and entrepreneurs.
After the workshop we met the Italian students and walked to the coach stop. We drove to the Vespa museum and got lunch at a small takeaway bakery, outside of the cities the price of food is so much cheaper!
The museum showed the development of the Vespa scooter over the years along with a few other vehicles.
From here we got back on the coach to Pisa. The buildings and atmosphere there was very different to Florence, I prefer Florence but was very glad we had the opportunity to visit! Sadly the cathedral was closed so we were unable to go in but we took plenty of "tourist shots" with the leaning tower of Pisa, including many attempts at a handstand to "hold up the tower". I had a lot of fun here and it was nice to have a little free time with my group.
After seeing the leaning tower of Pisa, we walked into the center of Pisa and looked around a small market. In English we often call it a flee market, here the translation is a "scabies market". I didn't buy anything but it was very interesting. At around 6.30pm we caught the coach back to Florence.
It has been a very long day but I really enjoyed seeing a different part of Italy and spending more casual time with the students from Italy and Finland.
