It’s already ten at night. We meant to start earlier. We meant to study. We meant to sleep. Instead, we find ourselves laughing and teasing each other, sharing warm tea and snacks. We are playing a board game known as Siedlers. It’s a German game about strategy and settlements. With the roll of dice and a little luck, we build our fictional property hoping to outwit each other and take first place.
Beginning a game of Siedlers is a bit challenging. Fredrik and Zhong-Ning rally up the housemates, usually dragging Sharyl down from her room. Kate always says no, but she is easily persuaded. The other housemates are busy with studies but quickly abandon those scholastic ambitions when they hear the laughter from the dining room. Daniela races over and offers advice.
We’ve slightly modified the rules of the game, now incorporating additional players as “consultants.” Ana and Gabi make the best consultants. Quiet and patient, it’s a challenge to win against the mathematicians! Ajay staggers in around midnight. He has just finished work at his office and most likely, he will end up taking over someone’s position in the game. Young Jae is our newest addition to the Cosmo world of Siedlers. Her gaming style is unique. During the close of the game, when tension and fatigue hang in the atmosphere, Young Jae adds an energetic playfulness. Sharyl’s strategies are predictable, build quick and win quicker! With determination and foresight, she secures points for the longest settlement road. She turns houses into mansions, always impressing us with her resourcefulness.
I would have to say that Frederik is the unluckiest player. Despite his ability to secure great resources early in the game and remain secretive about the cards in his hands, he often looses half of his cards or can’t build fast enough to win! Maybe that’s because he has a soft spot and ends up trading away his resources when the other players are really desperate. Zhong-Ning, a very vocal player when he is unhappy with the game, finds himself with an abundance of resources. The other players groan as eight wheat cards are traded in for two brick cards. What a waste! But that is the game, build yourself and slow down the rest.
Despite our competitive attitudes, winning the game is just “business.” What I enjoy most about this game is the sense of community. Much like our addition of houses to the game board, we are strengthening the foundations of friendship.
Kate Peterson lived half a year at Cosmo and shared her rich international experience with us. Kate contributed a lot to the community life in our house.
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| Zhong-Ning, Ajay, and Sharyl | Young Jae, Daniela, and Kate |
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| Frederik plans his strategy |