Curiouser and Curiouser

[Steve Axford]

I was intrigued this morning to receive an email inviting me to open an exhibition of my fungi photos at a restaurant - all expenses paid! And where is this restaurant? Moscow - in mid September.

[Granville]

Well at least it's sort of still summer. Getting about 34 roubles to the dollar at the moment. Good luck with that.

[Steve Axford]

Going from a Northern Rivers summer to a Moscow winter might be a bit tough, but September should be fine. Anyway, the restaurant looks to be well insulated.

[Cage]

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

That's assuming 'All expenses paid' includes more than a just free lunch, as we all know how costly they can sometimes be.

[Steve Axford]

Looking at the website for this restaurant (I think that's defined as looking a gift horse in the mouth - but it isn't really a gift as they get to use my photos), I think I'll be going and I'll make sure that I get all my lunches. It's not often that I get offers like this one.

[Mark L]

Good one. Enjoy the journey.

[Steve Axford]

Thanks Mark, it will be an interesting experience - and a fascinating addition to my CV.

[jim]

Brilliant! And well deserved too.

Hoping all is above board...

[Steve Axford]

I can't see how it could be a scam, Jim. It's way to specific to me and they will provide air tickets etc in return for photos. They could license the photos for less.

[nardes]

Steve

I have read of some scams where the scammer actually deposits “their(?)” money into your account or credits you with money via some other means and then at the last minute, they cancel the engagement and ask that you only refund, say, 50% of “their” deposit with you retaining the other 50% for the bother. In theory, you score 50% for the inconvenience.

But, when the innocent victim refunds the 50% from their own personal account, the victim then soon discovers that the original deposit to them was made via a stolen credit card or account.

Cheers

Dennis

[Steve Axford]

I am by nature a cynical person, but I cannot see how this is a scam - unless it is a nasty joke being played by someone who knows me. Since I don't think I know anyone that nasty, I'm opting that it is real. Things can turn turtle, of course, but the restaurant is genuine and they definitely have the resources to do this. They are not asking me for any deposits or anything that would commit me to pay anything.

[dacar]

Have you called them (phone, not email) to confirm?


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Sent from a mobile phone.

[Steve Axford]

No, I haven't, but I can't actually see where the con could be. Anyway, they say they'll buy my ticket to Moscow tonight (with Etihad), so that will be a sure test. They have requested no money, bank details, etc from me and everything really does seem above board. We'll find out very soon. It's actually very exciting and not something that happens to you very often.

[kleinpark]

With all the unrest over there at present....I'd be wary of heading to that country
But if you do decide to go, I hope you have a great and rewarding time !!!
Travel safe

[Steve Axford]

There's no unrest in Moscow. From what I hear the Russian people are very much for Putin's position. I'm sure I'll enjoy the trip, but I'll keep out of politics.

[Steve Axford]

Well, Tickets and hotel payments are all confirmed and now all I need is the visa. Even that seems easier than it first appeared. So, off to Moscow in October. The weather will be cold, but who cares. One of my New Year hopes was that my photography would help pay for my travels. I never thought that it would be as direct as this. Together with all the magazine publications in the last few months, I should be able to make another trip as well. Perhaps Lake Baikal or even Wrangel Island next year, though my guess is that Wrangel would blow the budget a little.