A neighbor of mine was born in Tunisia, and he was the one who gave me the idea that I should look at rugs in Morroco. I've been meaning to buy one for my dining room, but haven't gotten around to it (in SIX YEARS! That's how long we've been in this house! ;) ) He thought that I could get rugs there for a fraction of what I could get them for here. If that's not the case, then I certainly won't go through all the trouble of shipping one. I guess I'll just have to see what's really over there.

Kathy, interesting story about buying the souveniers here vs. there. Funny, I have this huge, gorgeous ceramic jug-type vase made in Florence, which I actually bought in Fashion Island in Newport Beach the week after returning from a trip to Italy! I could never have carried it home. As I recall, it was a little more expensive here than a similar item would have been there, but this was many years ago.

The chandelier thing, boy I wish I could find one like it somewhere here. Volterra, being known for it's alabaster, is chock full of beautiful items that you just won't see anywhere else. Of course, I don't even know if the type of chandelier I saw is still going to be there.

Thanks for all the info on shipping, everyone!