A woman has left people in awe with a revelation about the unconventional way some people in Bern, Switzerland, commute - prompting widespread curiosity.
Olga, a woman living in Switzerland, has amassed thousands of followers by sharing clips of her life there as well as some little-known facts about the stunning European country. In one of her viral TikTok videos, which has racked up over 1.4million views, Olga showcases a rather quirky way people travel to work in the summer.
The footage shows people leisurely floating down the Aare river that snakes through Bern, enjoying a rather serene trip to their final destinations.
"Only in one month is already the season of commuting by river in Switzerland," Olga captioned the footage, as viewers observed commuters of various ages meandering along the striking blue waters of the river.
Most commuters appeared to float unaided, although some could be seen using swimming aids such as pool noodles or different flotation devices. Families with young children were also spotted in inflatable boats.
To educate those eager to try this unique form of transit, Olga followed up with a video laying out ten essential rules to adhere to for a safe and enjoyable floating commute.
The first piece of advice she offered was that only seasoned swimmers should brave this unique travel method. She also cautioned against braving the water if no one else was in it, as there may well be a good reason other commuters are shunning the river.
She recommended consulting the AaereGuru app, which provides real-time data on the river's temperature and current speed.
She then advised people to gradually get used to the temperature of the water and warned against swimming under the influence of alcohol.
For those ready to take the plunge, Olga said Schönausteg is an ideal entry spot, complete with stairs for convenient access.
"Another good start point is Eichholz where the river makes a natural pool to enter the water without stairs. The best exit point is Marzili with several exit stairs and swimming canal," she detailed in her post.
To safely exit the river, she said: "Change your direction toward the exit in advance due to fast current."
While the concept of river commuting may seem odd given the risk of getting your possessions wet, Olga suggested investing in a waterproof dry bag to protect valuables. These are available at Loeb in Bern for local residents, while those abroad can find similar products online. Additionally, she recommeded buying water shoes to prevent foot injuries from the rocky riverbed.
Olga advised that newcomers to river floating should not hesitate to use a floatie for added security on their first journey.
The comment section beneath the video quickly buzzed with activity as viewers expressed their concerns about the safety aspects of this practice.
"Doing that without a lift jacket is crazy, I swim 1000M everyday in my own pool and I'd wear a life jacket," one commenter expressed their astonishment, prompting Olga to respond: "It's different attitude here."
"Is it safe for people who can't swim to do this? It feels so relaxing," said another.
Olga replied: "You should be a good swimmer to do this, river could be dangerous."
Meanwhile one person added: "Ah man, I wish I could do something like this here."
"Oh but if I did this in the Mississippi I'm 'crazy' and might 'die'," one commented, while another mused on the allure of the location, saying: "I feel like being born in Switzerland is like winning the lottery. What is this majestic place."
Finally, another individual joked about their longing for Swiss nationality, saying: "Manifesting swiss citizenship."
