Forget the beach and the museum; try something out of the normal. Our latest Daytrippen adventure took us to a place where scratching your nose could cost you the price of a two-year-old heifer.
First, I must apologize; my Daytrippen adventures normally start with a destination such as a beach, a museum, or somewhere that provides a little mental stimulation.
I’m now throwing a wrench into that thinking and starting with a question: “have you ever been to a world championship contest for auctioneers.”
- What is an auctioneer, you ask? An auctioneer, or bid caller, runs an auction where people buy things. The buyers bid (money) against another buyer. The auctioneer keeps tally of the bids and engages the audience with their colourful chanting to hopefully entice people to pay more.
- What is a world championship contest for auctioneers? This is where seasoned auctioneers try out their skills and talent against others in the trade. They enjoy the fun, prestige, and hopefully winning against all other competitors.
This is serious business for a bid-caller, cattle auctioneer who does this for a living. However as a by-stander, I find it has an entertaining aspect for someone who has never been.
The story is not much to do with the auctioneer championship, as is the auctioneer him or herself. Did you know a really fast auctioneer can rattle off 300 to 400 words a minute? I can’t do that!
And did you know there is an auctioneer course you could take for someone serious about trying this challenging career?
Auctioneer school for beginners, start your training today.
If you have never attended a live auction, you are missing quite a spectacle. Whether it is an antique auction, an estate sale, or a local downsizing auction, there is nothing quite like listening to a seasoned auctioneer rattle off numbers and bids at seemingly impossible speed.
Having said this, my favourite is a livestock auction as heard by this YouTube Video.
**** I once overheard a buyer at a livestock auction say to another person, “I have no idea what I just bought.” **** That gives you an idea of what it’s like at a fast-paced auction. Even the buyer had trouble deciphering an auctioneer’s language.
So, let me explain where this Daytrippen story originated and is going.
This daytrip adventure theme could have started with buying storage lockers at a live auction. Or, it could have started at an antique estate auction.
But that’s not where this story started.
On a bright Thursday morning, we decided to visit the famous St. Jacobs Market. The market was busy as usual, and after eventually finding a parking spot, we started our adventure walking up and down the rows of outside vendors.
But you’re not going to get off that easily; going inside was just as busy as the vendors and crowds outside.
So when going to this St. Jacobs Market for a few vegetables and farm products, I could be better described as a morning adventure.
After spending a couple of hours looking, shopping, and buying a few things, it was time to leave. But it was such a beautiful day, and there were plenty of opportunities for colorful photographs. So I decided to stay a few extra hours, taken colourful photo this interested day. But it finally this adventure took me too a door saying “do not entre, livestock (farm-animal) auction in progress” That’s where this theme came into play.
Welcome to the Livestock Auction
Now, I’ve been to these auctions before. They can be entertaining, and they are certainly interesting to watch.
But for many of the farmers sitting in that auction ring, this isn’t entertainment. This is serious business.
Livestock is their livelihood, and they have to pay close attention to that fast-talking auctioneer. At a glance, you could see farmers were buying and selling at a speed that was considerably faster than the auctions I’m normally used to attending. I tried to follow the auctioneer as he rattled off the numbers.
“Man I’m saying,” this guy is good. But once again, I could easily have been the person saying: “I have no idea what I just bought.”
And that’s where things get interesting.
You have to pay attention. You can’t simply stare into space. I’ve heard the warning before: Don’t scratch your nose at the wrong time. A sharp-eyed auctioneer might take that movement as a bid. And before you know it, congratulations! You’re the proud owner of a two-year-old heifer.
Now this is the other part of the equation: Could This Be Your Next Career Change?
Here’s another interesting aspect about a daytripping to a livestock auction.
For a moment, you might actually start thinking about a completely different way of life. Could you see yourself living and working on a farm? Maintaining livestock? Driving one of those enormous big tractors?
Maybe an afternoon at a livestock auction could even introduce someone to a career change they had never considered before.
That’s one of the things I enjoy about Daytrippen adventures.
You don’t always know what you’re going to discover.
A Justin Bieber exhibit at a museum, a day at the beach or even a classic car show where you could meet car-enthusiast.
In essence, an antique mall might seem boring to one person, while another could spend hours wandering through looking for hard-to-find collectables of their fancy.
Sometimes it’s simply about getting away from the same old routine and doing something out of the norm.
However, the positive side to this story is, “you’re not watching television, you’re not sitting at the computer,” and you’re not staring at your cellphone waiting for someone to call. You’re out doing something different and constructive, and maybe, you can pick up that auctioneer language for a career change.
Or you might strike up a conversation with someone you just met. You might learn something new or take a few neat photos. Or, like I mentioned: “I can do this.” And yes, you probably can, although learning to talk like an auctioneer might take a little practice.
Did I mention they can “speak” 300 to 400 words a minute?
The best part of this Daytrippen adventure? There is no money involved to watch and listen at a livestock auction. That fits perfectly into the Daytrippen philosophy.
A Different Kind of Daytrippen Adventure
This Daytrippen adventure is certainly a little different from some of my previous adventures, such as visiting the HMCS Haida.
But that’s exactly the point. Daytrippen isn’t about visiting the same type of attraction every weekend. It’s about getting out, exploring, meeting people, taking some photographs, learning something new, and finding interesting places that don’t necessarily appear on the typical tourist itinerary.
And if you think you’ve got what it takes to talk like an auctioneer, there are courses that can teach you how.
After watching this guy work, though, I’m not sure I’m ready for the challenge. Did you know a skilled auctioneer can speak hundreds of words per minute?
Now that’s something I’d like to see you try.
>>If you think you got the skill, CLICK HERE <<
And remember — whatever you do… *** Don’t scratch your nose. ***
On Closing: Daytrippen motto is: You don’t need to book a flight to take a vacation. Explore the small towns in your own backyard. Get lost in the local lore, take in the sights, walk the main street, & find your new favourite getaway close to home. “And BONUS, still be home for supper.”
One more thing: If you enjoy my articles and would like to support my travels by becoming a sponsor or making a contribution, your generosity would be sincerely appreciated. Donate to Dave @ Sixpaque through PayPal
Thank you for helping keep DayTrippen Adventures on the road! 🌞
