The Black Mouth of Mount Resegone had me within its womb. I placed my hands on the rocky and damp walls; the muddy ground and the presence of various insects discouraged me from proceeding towards an exit. That concealed, dark, and narrow tunnel into which I had ventured began to envelop me with its mystery, while fascination and adrenaline manifested as curiosity, urging me to move forward. I gathered my courage and advanced slowly, touching the rocky surfaces with my fingers at every step, searching for potential dangers unseen by me.

I quickened my pace, becoming faster and more confident. Anxiety and fear of the unknown took a back seat, replaced by a hunger for light and an immense and unbridled desire to look beyond the darkness. I covered about half a kilometer. Light. Before my eyes, an immense expanse. Here, nature seemed to have left time with the task of not passing. Wild herbs, botanical specimens, berries, flowers, and plants of all kinds composed a landscape reminiscent of earthly paradise, where one could quench their thirst for knowledge and feed on inspiration. The vegetation was lush, with vibrant colors, typical of spring. The tranquility and absence of noise invited me to participate as a simple spectator, while behind me, the dark tunnel reminded me that it was the only passage to this pleasant place, where humans had neither intervened nor spoken a word. A place that would become my botanical workshop, where I could select and study ingredients, experiment with their balances, and craft them into creative recipes.