*** UPDATE*** This rug curled up badly at the corners just like it did for so many others. I still like the way it looks do I put under my bed. It's fine there, but I would never use this in a living room. It's really not safe.***

 It's a beautiful natural fiber rug. It's quite different than than the poly or wool rugs that we see more often in the US. You have to expect differences. 
I have noticed no smell. I also find it very soft to walk on and actually pleasurable to walk on with bare feet. It has texture! The corners on the side that was the most wound up do stick up some. I didn't find this super unusual and placing some heavy objects on it for a couple of days seems to help.