Hej!

 

 Looking out my hotel window last week, I saw it. You couldn't miss it. It was big and blue, and yellow. IKEA. I confess, I had never entered an IKEA in my life. Well, it was time to break that record. I had to know why people loved it. I needed a French press anyway and I have been curious about the meatballs that friends drooled over. Ja, let's go.

The parking lot was pretty full for a week day which seemed a good sign. No tariffs hitting the Swedes, it seems. I entered and was soon within maze of individually designed cubicles, each one furnished to look move-in ready. In fact, I think there was a television show filmed in the store without the employees ever knowing ...

Looking at an overhead map I saw my French press was on the other side of the store. Did I mention the store was big? There also was no way to cut through the merchandise to get to the other side. I had to follow the arrows like the yellow brick road to reach the Wizard. Fortunately, meatball heaven was just ahead. I got in line and was told by two very stern looking ladies, wearing hairnets, I must start at the kiosk to punch in my order, then I could come back and watch them plop some meatballs on a plate. This was apparently a new set up at IKEA which was confirmed by a very chatty regular shopper who absolutely loved, loved the store. She went on for several minutes gushing over the new look, the kiosk, the computers, the food. Happy people shop IKEA, I duly noted.

The food. 😬 I was not impressed with the tiny meatballs swimming in grayish brown gravy. The smell nearly made me gag. They weren't bad, but the look and smell made the meal underwhelming. I do believe this store was a work in progress. In fact, there seemed to be more employees than shoppers, who were busy creating tiny worlds with merchandise for sale.

A little trivia about the Swedes, they don't go for spontaneous dancing. That may be true. I never saw my grandmother dance. Or smile, although she's smiling in the photo. Oddly, she seems to be the only one smiling. Maybe they are allowed a certain amount each year. Five smiles per annum.

Mormor in front right wearing blueish shirt 

Onward to seek my prize! Through the maze, follow the arrows, see the stuff upon stuff upon more stuff. At last, a French press for $12.99. Done and done. Now, how do I get out of here? Luckily an employee showed me the magic doors to use to avoid having to backtrack all the way to the front. "Tusan tack!" (A thousand thanks)

The employees were all super friendly. The shoppers were happy. The prices were decent. I also bought a jar of lingonberry jam and a blue IKEA bag, which is actually a little weird. It's shaped like a Viking longship and must be balanced evenly or mishaps may occur.

Hej da°! 

Goodbye IKEA. I came, I saw, I said, "no more."