On Christmas Day, while everyone was busy with the usual hustle—last-minute shopping, dancing, or cramming into packed restaurants—I decided to do something completely different. I packed my bag, hopped in the car, and headed for the slopes of Mount Olympus. Not to ski or sip overpriced hot chocolate, but to visit Orlias Waterfalls, a place that’s usually buzzing with life during the summer months. Back then, it’s all about people lounging around, daring each other to jump into the icy waters. But this was winter, and the scene was completely transformed.
Driving up I felt that familiar pull of the mountain. There’s something about Olympus, you know? It’s not just its height or the legends wrapped around it—it’s the way it seems to breathe. Like it’s alive. The closer I got, the fewer cars I saw.
The trail leading to the waterfalls was damp but manageable. The leaves, once vibrant greens and yellows, were now a rich mosaic of browns and grays, carpeting the ground. The air was sharp and clean, the kind that fills your lungs and reminds you you’re alive. There’s no better way to wake up than with a slap of crisp mountain air in your face.
When I finally reached the waterfalls, I almost didn’t recognize them. In summer, Orlias is vibrant and loud, with kids cannonballing into the pools and laughter all around the rocks. Now? It was like the place had gone into hibernation. The water still flowed and that was a good sign.
I sat on a boulder nearby, just soaking it in. No distractions. No car horns or holiday playlists blaring from every corner only me and my friends. Just the sound of the waterfall and the occasional rustle of wind through the bare branches. I
And yeah, I know what you’re thinking: “What about the cold?” Look, I’m not going to lie—it was freezing. But there’s a charm in that too. You don’t come to a place like this for comfort. You come to feel something real. To remind yourself that there’s beauty in starkness, in simplicity, in moments where you’re not just going through the motions of the season.
By the time I started my hike back, My feet were wet, my face numb, but my spirit? Refreshed. While everyone else was busy chasing holiday clichés, I found a piece of peace tucked away in the heart of the mountain. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat
Merry Christmas to all of you Guys
