Bürokratie (Bureaucracy)

So today I took the first step on becoming properly German.

I had forgotten how incredibly tedious it is to deal with the German Civil Service. How etepetete* the whole thing is.

I have a list of things I have to provide and if they're not in German then they need to be translated and notarised (all of which costs me money, and knowing how much people love taking money, it will not be a nominal sum).  And then I need to pass the Einbürgerungstest (which costs money to sit).and also the B2 German test (about 130 Euro to sit). 

And then when I've jumped through all of the hoops. I have to pay 225 Euros to submit my application.

And if I am turned down, I have to pay another 175 Euros and start at the beginning again.

It is not really a process that encourages you to join in.

However, I have help and I will get through every sodding hoop.  Bring it on.

*Pronounce it "Ate-a-Pay-Tay-Ta' and you'll be in the right area.  It means pernickety or pedantic (and if you're going to say "No it doesn't", then you're being etepetete.)