naladkaA Store Like No Other
Going to Harrods is quite an adventure. No bucket list can ever be complete without a trip to it. I can probably class it as a tourist experience rather than shopping one.
First thing that strikes you about Harrods is its size. The store takes up an entire block and has about 5 acres of shopping area. If you want to see the most of it, like I did, you would need your most comfortable shoes. I think Harrods would be a perfect place to shop for some very lucky lottery winner or a recent divorcee with a huge settlement. This store definitely takes the word “posh” to another level. Not even restless tourist crowds can take it away. Harrods has it all for people with money. It’s probably the coolest place on Earth to hang out with your Birkin bag (I saw more of them that day than in my whole life before). I was amazed they have department for bulletproof clothing and offer gold in those bricks we only see in movies (they sell well by the way!). Some things managed to steal my breath away. There was a kid’s car that cost almost as much as my old Mitsubishi Galant. Take that, auto industry! The building itself was fabulous inside and out (minus the low ceilings here and there and the weird shrine to Diana and Dodi Al Fayed). It looked even better in the evening with all the lights on.
Harrods Food Halls were magnificent. I don’t think I ever saw so many amazing edible things under one roof before. And it pains me to say that Whole Foods Market is nothing comparing to it. But then, the Queen won’t shop just anywhere and she used to love Harrods. The range of things you can get in this store is overwhelming. Besides stuff you usually find in a high-quality department store, it has pets, furniture suitable for Versailles, centuries old prints, art objects and much more. It did remind me of a museum in some places. For some reason most of the staff working there is gorgeous. I am talking tall slim model-looking shop assistants with perfect hair and make-up. I wonder if’s it’s a coincidence or the store hiring policy.
Verdict: If you have never been to Harrods, you must go! It’s nice for people watching and marveling at all amazing things the money can buy. But if you are looking for something to buy for yourself or as gifts – go somewhere else (unless you have a trust fund or going to marry an Arab sheikh). Thankfully, London offers things in all price ranges. 13 months ago
