All the shops sell quilted pillow covers from 12-inch squares (for $1.50 and up) to yard-square or larger sizes ($5 to $8) with traditional, sometimes astrological, block printed designs.

Buy pillows and duvets with synthetic fillings, and look for bedding covered in Gore-tex (Slumberland Medicare, tel: 061-628 5293).

Today you can get a hand-beaded shawl from India for $240 or a silk-blend pillow covers for $59.99, on sale.

Plump pillows and duvets cover the beds.

AS we walked back through the mountains, a gaggle of girls suddenly appeared, hawking embroidered pillow covers they unrolled from their backs.

Flickering artificial candlelight barely illuminated a circular chamber; pillows covered the floor, and lewd paintings of debauchery covered the dark stone walls.

The bed on which I lay was a gilded four-poster, hung with gauzy curtains, and covered with down pillows and draperies of silk.

I put it on the back side of the bunk, and my pillow covered it a mite.

Throw pillows cover a white wicker chair and cast-iron table.

Frequent travelers with dust mite allergies, take note: those dust mite-proof, zippered pillow covers from home can fold up small.