good

[kimba1]

http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article.aspx?cp-documentid=634521&gt1=41000

I`m gonna sound sexist
it is,but I can`t figure how to dance around this subject
but until you experience the magic of travelling with a female comnpanion who like to travel with a caravan of luggage.
these baggage restriction is a true blessing.
travelling light is a thing of beauty to me
I hate waiting forever at the carosel.
and its worst coming back due to shopping for stuff to bring back.

[Xavier_Onassis]

I agree with you most wholeheartedly. I travel with a High Sierra backpack and a very small carryon. If I buy giftys, they are things like jewelry that take up little or no space and weigh very little.

Should anyone ever venture to Paraguay, they make some beautiful silver filigree jewelry in the town of Luque, near the Asuncion airport. There is nothing like it anywhere else. They also have beautiful ñandutí (spider web) lace tablecloths, veils, mantillas and such.

In South America, the souvenirs are all locally made: no Chinese manufactured schlock with 'Miami Beach' written on it. I can't remember when I have seen American made souvenirs: maybe back in the 1950's, they had things made of alabaster and cedarwood.

[Amianthus]

I can't remember when I have seen American made souvenirs: maybe back in the 1950's, they had things made of alabaster and cedarwood.

You have to avoid the cities. Then you can find locally made craft items.

[Xavier_Onassis]

You have to avoid the cities. Then you can find locally made craft items.

We have craft fairs here, and they make nice stuff. But they are not souvenirs, and are rarely souvenir items. They are above mere souvenirs in design and vastly above them in price.

By souvenir, I mean a keychain that says ARGENTINA and has my daughter's name on it.
A mate pot inscribed "Provincia de Misiones".
A windchime made with flattened Quilmes bottles.
Wallets with the name "Represa de Yacyreta, Paraguay" tooled into the leather.
bracelets made of hematite and river mollusk shells.
Handbags of rainbow colored cloth, with Santa Cruz, Bolivia, or Provincia de Jujuy.

That sort of thing.

[Amianthus]

We have craft fairs here, and they make nice stuff. But they are not souvenirs, and are rarely souvenir items. They are above mere souvenirs in design and vastly above them in price.

This kind of thing?

[Xavier_Onassis]

At $33.50, it is too expensive to call a souvenir. But it is quite attractive.