Viernes Santo (Holy Friday) with Host Families
Today was another day spent separately with our host families in Las Tablas, centered around cultural immersion and daily life.
I started the morning with hojaldres, a traditional Panamanian breakfast, before traveling with my host family to La Playita. We stopped in Pedasí along the way, observed local wildlife including macaws and spider monkeys, and spent time along the coast.
Owen, Abe, and Zo visited nearby beaches, and Zo met some friendly cows on a tour of their host family’s farm. Bee visited a host family beach house, while Rose, Lily, Zavier, and Avery participated in a host family birthday celebration.
Andrew spent time with his extended host family on Canajagua, while Sofia and Iris hiked separately through different mountains and saw an assortment of Panamanian wildlife. Nia visited her host grandparents’ house and trekked to a nearby waterfall.
Today was also Viernes Santo, the third day of Semana Santa, a major religious observance in Panama. For the occasion, several students, including Charlotte, Parker, and Emma, attended religious services with their host families. In the evening, many students attended a Semana Santa procession in Las Tablas, which included a parade, music, and many other festivities.
Hasta luego,
Theo ’26
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I started the morning with hojaldres, a traditional Panamanian breakfast, before traveling with my host family to La Playita. We stopped in Pedasí along the way, observed local wildlife including macaws and spider monkeys, and spent time along the coast.
Owen, Abe, and Zo visited nearby beaches, and Zo met some friendly cows on a tour of their host family’s farm. Bee visited a host family beach house, while Rose, Lily, Zavier, and Avery participated in a host family birthday celebration.
Andrew spent time with his extended host family on Canajagua, while Sofia and Iris hiked separately through different mountains and saw an assortment of Panamanian wildlife. Nia visited her host grandparents’ house and trekked to a nearby waterfall.
Today was also Viernes Santo, the third day of Semana Santa, a major religious observance in Panama. For the occasion, several students, including Charlotte, Parker, and Emma, attended religious services with their host families. In the evening, many students attended a Semana Santa procession in Las Tablas, which included a parade, music, and many other festivities.
Hasta luego,
Theo ’26
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