The Sorry Tale of a Roatan Yurt
News from the Honduras Bay Islands and North Coast
26 March 2002
By Pierre Renaldo, The Coastwatcher©

A few months ago I related to my readers a theory as to how such a word as YURT came into existence. In case you did not read that account or in the likelihood that you do not even know what a YURT is or have never even heard the word before, I will reiterate my fable.

Long ago a nomadic tribe crossing the Gobe desert someplace in Outer Mongolia stopped at a place where they would spend a few months. Every tribesman was busily putting up his Yurt, which is a circular tent covered with animal skins. Until this particular incident, the tent was just called a tent, and there was no other word in the Mongolian language for this common shelter.

A very popular tribesman named Mook finished the job and decided to celebrate the completion of the exhausting work by partaking of some of the local yak milk drink. He was very thirsty and as he finished the second cup of strong brew the head tribesman came over to congratulate Mook on the way he completed the task, making it look effortless.

“Ah, Mook, is doing very nice job here.” Wherewith the headman slapped Mook on the back in a gesture of friendship. Mook was about to reply, but the yak brew intervened and instead of talking he inadvertently belched out a sound like “YUURRRRRT!”

To which the headman replied, “Is very good name for tent! Yurt! Is very smart guy, our Mook. From now on we calling tent, ‘Yurt’.”

The other members of the tribe looked on smiling, eyes gleaming with approval as Mook received the honor he deserved. And so the word ‘Yurt’ came into existence.

I have never been able to prove this theory scientifically, but I’m sure you will see the logic of my idea as you read on.

About a year ago I met a lady who owned a Yurt here on Roatan. Our meeting was pleasant but the lady had her problems because of her yurt. Thieves were constantly cutting through the vinyl outer skin, gaining entry and stealing the contents of the Yurt. The thrust of her conversation with me was an inquiry as to how to make her yurt less likely to be entered by thieves, since such episodes were damaging and disconcerting to say the least.

I could not think of anything workable except to build a protective structure around the yurt, thereby adding a degree of permanence and invulnerability to something that was certainly not the most ideal form of security, especially on a third world island, where stealing is a way of life. In retrospect, I wondered why she didn’t build something more substantial to begin with.
In a passing conversation with Mistress T. my housekeeper, when I made mention of the lady and her Yurt problem, Miss T. quickly asked the big question. “Why she didn’t make a house, den she not going ta have all these people molesting she tent?”

Truly an echo of my sentiments. Why try to waterproof a sieve when you could have bought a bucket in the first place? The whole silly problem gave birth to another brainstorm. I believe it is called a Limerick, or some such.

There was an old woman named Gert
Who was trying to live in a yurt
It wasn’t a spoof
When they cut through her roof
And left her with nothing but dirt.

Anybody out there wanna buy a Yurt?

Also, dear friends, two of my books that relate to Roatan are out.

The first book, which I STRONGLY recommend for anyone doing construction on Roatan or anywhere in the lesser developed world, is:

“How to Avoid the Pitfalls: Building Your Dream Home”

Your can order it through your favorite bookstore or from my publisher, 1stbooks Library. Just click on:
www.1stbooks.com/bookview/8418

My latest novel “Ironshore” is also just off the presses and can be purchased at:
www.1stbooks.com/bookview/9189 or ordered from your favorite bookstore.

Questions or comments: elouis@globalnet.hn

Ciao
Pierre

By Pierre Renaldo, Mountain Coastal S.A,. General Contractors, Construction Management and Construction Consultants.