The Main swim crossing (Rodgau, Schuman)
The place as These Germans Who Swim To Work Are Happier Than You describes it; pinned at Main at Seligenstadt (ferry crossing) (⚠️ best-guess).
At a glance
| Source | Author | Role | In one line |
|---|---|---|---|
| These Germans Who Swim to Work Are Happier Than You | Rebecca Schuman | setting | Jutta Maaßen of Rodgau rides to the Main bank, stuffs work clothes in a dry bag and swims across because the ferry stops early. |
These Germans Who Swim To Work Are Happier Than You — Rebecca Schuman (2017)
Source: These Germans Who Swim to Work Are Happier Than You · Original · Readwise highlight
“I can see my office from here!” she laments on the Hesse side of the river, as she gazes across at the Bavarian side. Alas, the nearest bridge is six kilometers downriver.
- Role: setting
- In the article: Jutta Maaßen of Rodgau rides to the Main bank, stuffs work clothes in a dry bag and swims across because the ferry stops early. She changes on the Bavarian side and cycles the rest of the way on a second bike she keeps there.
- Why it matters: Second example, with the Isar swimmer, of commuting by swimming.
- Real vs. fictional: The text does not name the real place; the pin is a best guess.
- Where is it?: ⚠️ best-guess. Clues in the text: “Rodgau resident Jutta Maaßen”; “swims across the Main river”; “Hesse side … Bavarian side”; “the ferry that used to carry her (and her bicycle) stopped running early in the morning”; “nearest bridge is six kilometers downriver”. Reference works: Rodgau (50.01N, 8.53E… en wiki 50°01’N 8°53’E) does not touch the Main; the Main forms the Hesse/Bavaria border nearby. de.wikipedia Seligenstadt documents a still-operating Main ferry (km 69.6, since 1971). The 1989 Mainflingen-Dettingen ferry was replaced by a bridge so does not fit. Hessenschau video (hessenschau.de/panorama/video-38768.html) not retrievable. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seligenstadt Chosen: Main at Seligenstadt (ferry crossing) — Only weak clues; ferry plus Hesse/Bavaria border on the Main near Rodgau points to Seligenstadt stretch but is unverified. Alternatives: Other Hesse/Bavaria Main crossings near Rodgau (Hainburg, Mainhausen-Mainflingen, Kahl).