Economic troubles less apparent

While the Hotel de Seine manager says bookings are down, she also says that the recession is less visible here than in the United States. Everything seems normal in the main sections of Paris, no store closings visible, and cafes full. Restaurant reservations for the haphazard traveler are easier to come by, and that's not bad at all. The dignity of work is apparent from the street cleaners that I had coffee with yesterday morning in a St. Germain cafe to the taxi drivers and newstand operators. It's a different feeling of égalité from the USA.