Petra - The Silk Tomb

North of the Urn Tomb is a cluster of smaller tombs which scarcely warrant being dubbed 'royal'. One of them is remarkable for the vivid striations in the rock façade, like the wildest shot silk, which led to its being called the Silk Tomb. Maybe it was this tomb which, according to Edward Lear, sent his Italian cook, Giorgio, into rhapsodies as they approached 'the east cliff... with its colors and carved architecture... "Oh master," said Giorgio (who is prone to culinary similes), "we have come into a world where everything is made of chocolate, ham, curry powder, and salmon."' Had Giorgio named the tomb, it would doubtless have had gastronomic rather than couture associations.

What he omitted, however, here and throughout Petra, were the colors of fresh blackcurrant, blackcurrant ice-cream, peach, apricot, mulberry, saffron, raw steak, buttermilk and caramel.

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