Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being an auctioneer in Pavia is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it was anything but.
First off, I had to set up for this big auction at the Palazzo Mezzabarba. You know, that fancy place on Corso Strada Nuova? Yeah, that one. I’m hustlin’ down Via S. Giovanni, dodging tourists like I’m in some kinda video game. Seriously, these folks don’t know how to walk! I’m like, “Excuse me, coming through!” But they just stare at their phones. Ugh.
So, I finally get to the Palazzo, and it’s packed. I mean, like sardines in a can. Everyone’s buzzing, and I’m feelin’ the pressure. I’m up there, ready to start, and then—BAM! The power goes out. Just my luck, right? I’m standin’ there in the dark, and all I can think is, “Great, now I’m gonna auction off air.”
But then, outta nowhere, the lights flicker back on. I’m like, “Phew!” But wait, there’s more! The first item up is this ancient vase. I swear, it looked like it belonged in a museum, not my auction. I start the bidding, and this old dude in the front row—Mr. Rossi, I think—he’s all in. He’s waving his paddle like he’s at a football game. I’m tryin’ to keep it together, but I’m also thinkin’, “Dude, chill! It’s just a vase!”
Then, just as I’m about to close the bid, this lady in the back yells, “I’ll give you a hundred euros for it!” I’m like, “What?!” I mean, who does that? So, I’m juggling bids, and it’s chaos. I’m sweating bullets, but it’s kinda thrilling, ya know?
After that, I take a breather outside on Via S. Francesco. The sun’s setting, and it’s beautiful. I’m thinkin’ about how lucky I am to work in such a historic place. Pavia’s got that vibe, man. The old buildings, the cobblestone streets, it’s like stepping back in time. But then, I hear this loud crash. I turn around, and some guy just knocked over a whole cart of gelato! I’m talkin’ a rainbow of flavors splattered everywhere. I can’t help but laugh.
Back inside, the auction’s still goin’. We’re on to the next item—a painting of the Certosa di Pavia. I’m hyped! I love that place. It’s like a hidden gem. But then, guess who walks in? The mayor! Yeah, the big cheese himself. He’s all smiles, but I’m thinkin’, “Dude, you’re late!”
So, I’m trying to impress him, right? I’m throwing in some jokes, trying to keep the crowd entertained. But then, I trip over my own feet. Classic me. I stumble, but I catch myself. The crowd laughs, and I’m like, “Hey, if I fall, it’s just a new auction technique!”
Finally, we wrap up, and I’m exhausted. I step outside, and it’s dark now. The streets are lit up, and Pavia looks magical. I walk down Via S. Michele, feeling like a champ. I made it through the day! But then, I realize I left my phone at the Palazzo. Nooo!
I sprint back, dodging people again. I’m like a ninja at this point. I get to the Palazzo, and guess what? My phone’s right where I left it. Thank goodness! I grab it and head back out.
As I’m walking home, I can’t help but smile. Pavia’s got its quirks, but it’s my city. The chaos, the beauty, the gelato disasters—it’s all part of the charm. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. What a day, huh? Can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow!