In the Paris Metro, for example, only the larger stations have escalators and not all the way from the platform to the sidewalk. Use the helpful packing tips in the guidebooks and on the Internet to pare down.
A good place to stay. With the assistance of a friend with a travel agency I located a modest hotel in Paris. In Avignon, I chose a hotel recommended by Rick Steves. I found my hotel in Nice on the Internet. In each place, I fared equally well.
Relying on the kindness of strangers. From the moment I hit the sidewalk outside the airport, I began receiving help from others and very soon, to my surprise, giving it as well.
