Harrods is always an interesting stop in London. I've only been there once, on my first trip to London in 2006. I went there specifically to buy my grandmother a Christmas gift; she had fond memories of going to Harrods on her first European trip in 1956. I found a lovely light blue winter scarf to keep her warm if she had to go outside that winter, although by that time, at 94 and in failing health, the only reason she would have had to go out would have been a doctor's visit or a trip to the hospital.
I remember being impressed by the food halls and the elegance of the store -- except for that tacky Egyptian staircase that, as I understood it, the late Dodie Fayed's father had installed - but maybe I'm wrong about that. Either way, the Eygptian theme didn't really seem to fit the rest of the store's ambiance. It still doesn't, as far as I'm concerned. But the rest of the store was much as I remembered it, only it seemed even bigger for some reason.
The Food Halls - oh, Harrods' Food Halls! We went there to gawk, but were also in search of Jelly Bellies, which Georges said they sold by weight like they do in FAO Schwarz in NYC. Alas, though there were JBs for sale, they were prepackaged - seems Harrods no longer offers the choose-your-favorite-flavor scheme. But we took a few bags with us since they were having a buy 2-get 1 free special.
Then we wandered around, just look at the Halls and the different foods on display. We were too hungry when we arrived in town to wait until we could get to Harrods to eat lunch, and once we saw all they had to offer we were a bit sorry we weren't hungry any more! This is where London's well-off population goes for "take out" (or to sit and enjoy oysters at their in-house oyster bar). The patisserie was filled with yummy treats as well.
White chocolate-covered strawberries anyone?
Then we went up to the other floors just to have a look around. The high-tech department was a must-see for Georges. We found bejeweled iPads and iPhones that cost not hundreds but THOUSANDS of Pounds Sterling.
And look at this piano!
We also went in search of the toy department, where we found...
... traditional baby-doll prams, just the sort you'd imagine an English nanny pushing to the park, and the cutest baby dolls to put in those prams...
... princess costumes galore...
... a LEGO Tower Bridge and a Harrods' doorman...
... and off course, you could get the best selection of Harry Potter wares, including wands, uniforms for your Hogwarts House, and a broom! (Bet Harrods' brooms really CAN fly.)
Clearly, the wealthy wizarding families in England are bypassing the crowds at Diagon Alley and doing their back-to-school shopping here.
