We finally had an excuse to check out the rooms at the Maritime Hotel, the former Covenant House on Ninth Avenue. (Don't ask. A guy's gotta make a little money somehow. You think this shit pays the bills?) Anyway, if you're checking into the Maritime, make sure you bring binoculars. They've got fantastic views into the housing projects across the street — for $300 a night, you can get a real eyeful of how the other 9/10ths really live.

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