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The Atlas Obscura Podcast · Friday, September 4, 2026

Traveler Thor Pedersen Recounts Navigating South America on $20 a Day Without Speaking Spanish or Portuguese

Thor Pedersen described the logistical challenges of traversing South America by bus for his no-flying world tour, undertaking the journey on approximately $20 a day without speaking Spanish or Portuguese. He detailed a 42-hour bus journey within Brazil as part of his extensive travel through the continent.

personThor Pedersen

The tape

2 quotes
And then I went over Rio de la Plata to Uruguay. And then Uruguay into Brazil, which could be a continent on its own. So in Brazil, I had my longest bus journey, which was 42 hours.
Thor Pedersen
So maybe three and a half years if I was efficient. Right.
Thor Pedersen
Heard on The Atlas Obscura Podcast — “Unpacking an Incredible Journey with Thor Pedersen, published Friday, September 4, 2026. Heardvine summarizes and quotes with attribution and timestamps, and links to the original everywhere.
Transcribed via Gemini audio transcription · $0.02