European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 26, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A amps photos by Gary Miller the mountains and Fords of the chilean Inland waterway resemble the scandinavian coast an area half a world a Way. Much of South America resembles parts of Europe a and will Surprise those expecting something completely different. An Indian woman and her Llama pose for tourists near a Temple in the Andes. Leave your preconceptions at Home by Gary Miller Mediterranean Bureau Many North americans think of South America either As an Extension of Mexico or As a Jungle covered land Best left to the likes of Indiana Jones. While South America does have places like Brazil s tropical rain Forest it also offers great cities Rich with history modern conveniences and populated with Friendly cosmopolitan people. And Many of those places can be reached through military Airlift come flights which give space a travellers an Opportunity to experience a land most visitors say is More comparable to Europe than to Mexico. Europe s obvious influence however is but one color in a tapestry interwoven with cultures and histories that Are uniquely South american. Probably the Best evidence of the continent s non european history is Machu Pitchu the ancient incan ruins High in the peruvian Andes. Visiting the ruins perched on a Peak More than 2,000 feet above the rapids of the uru Bamba River might seem like an adventure worthy of indy but it s accomplished by thousands of tourists every year the City sacred to the indians who built it was already ancient when the first europeans set foot in Peru in the 16th Century. It offers dramatic proof of the accomplishments of a unique culture whose contributions to our lives include the White potato Maize and the anti malarial Medicine quinine. Much of Chile was part of the incan Empire. Longer than the Continental United states is wide Chile makes up a major portion of South America s Pacific coast and has nearly every climate known to Man. The Atacama desert in Chile s North is one of the driest in the world. The country s fiord filled South is just a few Hundred Miles from Antarctica. The terrain surrounding Punta Arenas the tourists shop for crafts near Cuzco Peru. World s southernmost City greatly resembles the Topography of its Northern hemisphere counterpart Tromson Norway. Between Punta Arenas and Chile s capital Santiago is an area of lakes and volcanoes where the people and architecture May remind visitors of Germany for Good reason a Many of the Region s inhabitants Are German. Another part of Chile deserving visitors attention is Vina Del Mare a resort City about an hour s ride East of Santiago. Long a tourist attraction for the people of bordering Argentina and Santiago residents Vina has developed in recent years to such a degree that some residents boast that its hotels and other facilities now compare favourably with Miami a nearby Mountain resorts offer first class skiing tourists and locals spend a Lazy sunday on the beaches of Horton a fishing Village in Chile. During what Are summer months in the United states and Europe. All together there Are 12 countries a plus two territories a in South America. At least one Mac flight originating from Howard fab near Panama City Heads to each of those 12 countries every month. Most of the flights have Only 11 space a seats but according to passenger services staff members that s usually enough to carry any Active duty passengers seeking transportation with a few seats left for retirees. As w Ith All Mac flights schedules May change without notice because of aircraft maintenance or operational requirements. Howard s 6th Aerial port so publishes a flight schedule each month and also a Booklet that along with other important information lists general entry requirements for Central and South american countries. Like military flight schedules however countries passport and visa requirements can change unexpectedly. Anyone flying on Mac flights is expected to meet the entry requirements of not Only their destination but also of any other countries on their flight s itinerary. Servicemember5 planning South or Central american trips should Check with an embassy of the country they wish to visit or with the Howard passenger service Center by calling military Telephone numbers 284-4306, or 284-5758 or 284-3608 or the commercial Telephone numbers 84-4306 or 84-5758 or 84-3608. If calling from outside Panama be sure to add the country code. Visitors tour the ruins of Machu Pitchu an ancient incan City in Peru. 12 stripes Magazine March 26, 1992 mar a 26, 1992 stripes Magazine 13