So here's a surprise! I'm sitting in Logan International Airport, about to fly off to Europe again. Perhaps it's becoming a habit, but each time brings a new adventure, and this one takes me on my first ever trip to Germany.

When I've mentioned my plans to visit Germany, repeatedly I was told (in hushed tones, and with a warped wink),

"Whatever you do, don't mention the war."

The Fawlty Towers episode (linked above) is now a comedy classic, and so well known that the mere mention of encountering Germans triggers the same reaction from a broadly diverse crowd.

(Oh, who am I kidding? They're all people I know, so their diversity is probably about as broad as Hitler's mustache ... uh ... no ... did I say that? ... as broad as ... a popsicle stick! ... Yes, that's it ... A popsicle stick ... Whew!)

But the "don't mention the war" comment reveals something about our collective unconscious, that we all continue to harbor just enough discomfort over World War II (which ended a short 65 years ago) that we need a bit of humor to take the edge off.

Only this month the Associated Press ran a widely reproduced article about the family secrets being uncovered by Germany's grandchildren of the Nazis. The story shows that it is not only children of the Allies who are remain uneasy regarding WWII. Our grandparents were often heroes; their grandparents were, just as often, not.

So yes, I'm off to see a bit of Germany (and Austria) ... in 2011. And I'll probably mention the war because I, too, am a part of this culture, and my own reactions to walking on the same ground tread by Hitler and his Nazis mirror some of those I've seen in others. But here's the rub: I'm going to Deutschland primarily to have fun.

My itinerary is as follows: On Thursday afternoon, I will arrive in Berlin, and see how the city has been rebuilt, both after the war and after reunification. Guidebooks indicate that Berlin is transforming itself, perhaps trying to find its own reunified identity.

Then I will traipse back into the past to visit the von Trapps. Well, sort of. I will take the train to Salzburg, Austria, where they filmed the Sound of Music. Oh, and incidentally, it is also W.A. Mozart's hometown.

Then I will scoot back into Germany to end my trip with several days in Munich, land of Oktoberfest and Oom-Pah-Pah.

I’ll be gawking at museum fare, musing over history, and tripping over my all-too-American tongue as I try to make my way, as much as possible, in German. I’m certain I’ll be very grateful that most younger Germans speak superb English.

And you’re invited to read along as I try making my way along on this latest jaunt. Just try to keep your senses of both humor and irony well oiled.