Saturday, July 19, 2008

Hostess with the mostest!


LE VIF cover girl, my mother-in-law "top" hostess at the Expo 58 in Brussels

While we were in Europe, visiting Brussels, one of the highlights of our trip was a visit to the "Atomium."  Once upon a time in 1958, at the Brussels Fair, Expo 58 there was a certain fair hostess greeting tourists and working as one of the fairest of them all.  My mother-in-law happened to be a fair hostess, one of the top 3 out of 500 hostesses.  She recently attended the 50th Anniversary Party for Hostesses.  

PARIS Match "Centerfold" - my mother-in-law happens to be on the fold. 
 
She told me one of the most important responsibilities as a Fair Hostess was that of "hygiene"
and that a part of her job was to inform other Hostesses that they were to return home and come back for lack of proper hygiene.  Can you imagine?  Today, we (Americans) take for granted the daily showers and shampoos and all the products a plenty to keep us fresh as daisies.  

The "Atomium" is an amazing architectural wonder.  Recently restored for the 5oth Anniversary, polished to an incredible silvery sheen.  The structure is a series of round balls connected, like that of an atom. 

 The connecting structures are a series of stairs or elevators taking one to the pods for various exhibits.  If you are ever in Brussels, take a trip to the Atomium.  You will be amazed at how many tourists are there.  I was thrilled that we were able to go and that our children saw photos of their Grandmother their on display.  We were so proud of her.
She still reigns fairest of them all to each of us.
Happy 50th Anniversary to you and to the Atomium!

10 comments:

erika said...

i've been there! but we did not go inside... i didn't even know you could go inside... looks like i missed out!
what a great family memory!!!

pve design said...

erika,
next time, make a trip and go inside!
glad you made it here today!
pve

dee said...

What a fun blog you have! And these images are fantastic. Your mother-in-law must have some amazing stories to share.

Easy and Elegant Life said...

We didn't go inside either this last trip.... well, we'll just have to stop through after a European romp. Your mother-in-law was certainly (and I'm sure still is) a head-turner!

pve design said...

Chris-
Yes, my mother-in-law is quite stunning - You can imagine how I felt meeting her for the first time along with the 3 gorgeous sisters! My husband being the eldest and only son.
Not only is she still a wonderful hostess but a wonderful Grandmother!
Patricia

simply seleta said...

What a great story! And such a lovely mother! I love the outside and inside shot. Can't wait for an international trip soon.

Elizabeth said...

What a fantastic post! I love the photos of your mother-in-law. She was beautiful in those photos.

Thank you for this glimpse into history, and I hope to get there some day.

I love all these bits of your trip. Thanks for posting them.

The House That A-M Built said...

What a great trip and how lucky you are to have such a lovely mother-in-law..... you are in the minority I'm sure. Mine hasn't forgiven my beautiful husband for marrying me(I was the 'wrong'religion....religious fanatics!) and hasn't ever met my children (eldest 10 years old)... I still can't quite grasp it even now! Glad you are ok about your picture in my sidebar. I just LOVE your talent and had to feature you somewhere on my humble blog! A-M xx

ArchitectDesign™ said...

wow, I've never seen pictures of this place -it looks amazing! What a cool story to tell :-) Did she have these magazines framed in her house? lol

pve design said...

be the change-
the magazines were just out this year so that is a great idea to frame them!
pve