Arrival in Dresden

I arrived in Dresden, Germany two days ago. My first days have definitely been overwhelming. I have been trying to get all my ducks in a row before my course begins next week. What I've accomplished so far: signed my dorm room contract; moved into my dorm room and unpacked; registered with the local authorities; opened a German bank account; got Internet set up in my room; bought some groceries; and started buying some necessities for my room (trash can, towels). What I have left to do: convert my entry permit to a student visa; get a mobile phone; start cooking lunch and dinner for myself; and buy some more necessities for my room (rug, desk lamp, curtains?). I also must LEARN GERMAN, asap. I have lived in other countries before so I don't know why I'm having such a hard time dealing with the lack of English here, especially since most younger Germans in Dresden do speak pretty decent English. I think it is because I am on my own, and it is quite isolating when you can't communicate very well with anyone. I am very much looking forward to the arrival of my classmates!

Funny things so far:

• At the registration office I had to tell them my religion. They are only interested in if you are Catholic or Evangelical, though. Buddhist = no religion.
• At the registration office I asked if Germans also have to register when they move to a new city. "Of course!" the guy replied.
• I have to pay a monthly fee for my bank account because even though I am a student, I am over 30. I cracked up the guy helping me open my account when I said it was an "old age fee."
• I already posted this on FB, but on my first evening, seriously exhausted after my flights, I went out looking for food. There was a fair going on in one of the town squares. I tried to decipher the German names of food and found Nudeln mit Tomaten und Käse, or noodles with tomatoes and cheese. I ordered some. The lady handed it to me and I looked around for a fork. I couldn't see any. Finally I asked her. She pointed to my hand, which was holding a fork, and said, "That's awesome!" Geez...
• There is a 8GB per week per room limit on Internet use in my dorm, supposedly to restrict Internet use to academic purposes. My American suite mate (dorm rooms in my building are divided into suites, or groups of six rooms that share a kitchen and bathroom) warned me not to try to illegally upload or download anything, "It's a small country; they track you." Apparently the police came after another American student for illegally downloading three songs - they wanted 1000s of Euros but he got a lawyer and only had to pay a few hundred.
• In my dorm (all German dorms?), the students have to clean their own rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Wish me luck!
• Everyone, and I mean everyone, I've interacted with has tried to speak to me in German first. Reactions to me explaining that sorry, I don't speak German, have ranged from amused to exasperated. Today in a department store one lady just sighed and walked away!