Over the years, many friends and a number of writers have suggested to me that someone
should write the story of Careyes, including some personal aspects of my life. I waited to
turn eighty to take on this literary project. In the final analysis, I believe it would be much
more enyoyable to read all these stories in the here and now, rather than in the afterlife.
Careyes, just like my own life, is a product of chance. I think that ninety per-
cent of life depends on chance, and the other ten percent on knowing how to see. In
my life, it was chance that allowed me to survive until now, as I have been on the brink
of death at least ten times. Through some twist of fate, Careyes has been able to fend
for itself.
Many persons have come and gone in Careyes, a good deal of them artistical-
ly gifted and sensitive people. Just like the legendary turtles that are fated to return and
lay their eggs on the Careyes beaches, they also feel the need to return and recharge
their batteries. The urge to come back is, most of all, a mysterious and unexplained
force that embraces and protects all of Careyes, which even today continues to cast its
spell over visitors.
I never considered myself an architect or an engineer, but rather a picture
framer. Nature produces the pictures, and frames are more or less my specialty. My phi-
losophy is that there is an eye that sees, and another one that feels.
My work is still that of a builder, but it has become increasingly determined by
the fact that I myself must exert an edifying influence, assuring the continuity of those
cultural and environmental philosophies that are shared by everyone who lives here.
I extend a special welcome to the new generation of people who have fallen in
love with Careyes, and who have made a commitment to building on the Teopa hills,
including Andrea and Francesca Brignone from Italy, Nicholas and Cassandra Exarchos
from Greece, and Manuel and Paula Matos Gil from Portugal, and all those who will
follow in their footsteps.
Viva
Careyes, land of kings!
gian franco brignone
“
Chi va piano, va sano, e va lontano.
”
“Who goes slowly, goes in health and will
go far.”
GF