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    Photo By Maj. Casey Staheli | Pfc. Buzdiuh Serhii, a member of the Ukrainian platoon prepares to strike the cue ball...... read more read more

    PRISTINA, KOSOVO

    07.21.2011

    Story by 1st Lt. Casey Staheli 

    200th Public Affairs Detachment

    PRISTINA, Kosovo -- Both soldiers and civilians need a break from the day to day rigors that come from working long hours, said Blagojce Stevanovski, a Serbian interpreter here at Camp Bondsteel.

    One of the best places and ways to find that is in the Moral, Welfare and Recreation hall where a variety of games allow for socializing and building friendships.

    Stevanovski and Mihailo Babic, another Serbian interpreter, can be found most evenings battling it out on the pingpong table.

    “The competition is fierce, friendly and fun,” said Stevanovski.

    Babic, who has played pingpong every day for the last three years, admits it is an addiction. “I find pingpong interesting and physically and mentally challenging,” said Babic. “I don’t go home too often so the MWR hall is a good place to come for fun and relaxation.”

    Across from the pingpong tables another game goes on; billiards. Ukrainian Master Sgt. Shadura Mykola, chalks-up, bends over and runs the cue between his fingers a few times before he calls his shot to the left corner pocket, as Ukrainian Pfc. Burdiuh Serhii watches the ball drop in.

    Burdiuh thinks the games are great. “There are so many different things to do here, so many ways to have fun, but my favorite is billiards.”

    While all of the billiards players are Ukrainian, Mykola says that is not always the case.

    “We come here and play against each other, against Americans, Polish anyone who wants to join a game,” said Mykola. “It’s a great place to meet people, make new friends and have fun.”

    Billiards and pingpong tables are open to anyone, anytime. Other games such as spades and Scrabble are played on certain nights.

    On the balcony that overlooks the MWR hall, a number of people take places around a table playing "Magic: The Gathering." Magic is a game where players assume the role of a powerful wizard who fights other wizards with a deck of cards representing your arsenal of spells, knowledge and creatures that can be summoned.

    Maj. Arthur Longoria, an avid Magic player for 15 years, decided to put the weekly Magic gathering together.

    “Since Magic is an international game I thought others here on Camp Bondsteel might play as well,” said Longoria. “So I asked the MWR manager if I could put up a flyer and I started to get responses.”

    Now every Monday there are usually 6-12 Soldiers and civilians playing.

    Magic has a lot of mechanics and takes some time to learn. But if players can get a grasp on the basics, it is smooth sailing after that, said chaplain assistant Spc. Michael Aton.

    Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eduardo Macaraeg, personnel technician, enjoys the strategy of the game.

    “You have to have the passion in strategy games to enjoy Magic,” said Macaraeg. “It’s a fun game, but having passion in the game is what makes it more interesting.”

    For Staff Sgt. Jerome Rabanal it is the competition that is most enjoyable.

    “Although we play for fun, it’s still competitive which makes you want to be a better player,” said Rabanal. “I like seeing how others play and finding out whom the better card duelist is.”

    Whether it is on the billiard table or with a deck of cards in hand, gamers agree that interacting with people outside of work is an opportunity to meet new people and share a common interest.

    “I have met at least three new Soldiers through the Monday night meetings and occasionally get together with them to discuss and trade magic cards, tips or just talk about different things,” said Rabanal.

    Stop by the MWR Hall, make new friends, have fun and game on.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.21.2011
    Date Posted: 07.21.2011 14:32
    Story ID: 74079
    Location: PRISTINA, ZZ

    Web Views: 164
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN