Camel from Kyzylkum
A Memoir of My Life Journey!
Camel from Kyzylkum traces a gripping path from Ukraine to the Kyzylkum Desert in Uzbekistan, and onward through Austria, Italy, and finally America. Along this journey, the author navigates personal truths and aspirations, illustrating the resilience and determination required to forge a new path in unfamiliar lands.
A journey, in her own words
From Ukraine to America
There are stories that are remembered — and stories that must be told.
Follow Lara’s deeply personal account of leaving the Soviet Union, navigating uncertainty across Europe, and arriving in America with nothing but hope. Told with the intimacy of a journal, this is a window into the moments that shaped her life — the struggles, the risks, and the quiet victories along the way.
View Lara’s journal, read a chapter from the book or listen to a sample below!
Listen to a Chapter
Camel from Kyzylkum
Chapter 11
An Award-Winning Memoir
A journey across continents.
Camel from Kyzylkum traces Lara Gelya’s path from Soviet Ukraine to the Kyzylkum Desert, through Europe, and ultimately to the United States. Along the way, she confronts loss, uncertainty, and the realities of starting over —revealing a deeply personal story of resilience and self-determination.
Told with honesty and quiet strength, the memoir offers rare insight into life behind the Iron Curtain and the courage it takes to pursue a new life in unfamiliar lands.
Literary Titan calls Camel from Kyzylkum ‘a testament to indomitable spirit.’
Diane Donovan says it ‘deserves attention not just from memoir readers, but armchair adventurers.’
Publishers Weekly review states ‘Throughout her gripping experiences, Gelya works to stay positive, reconciling herself to the sociocultural, political, and family happenings that punctuate her life.’
An Award-Winning Memoir
A journey across continents
Camel from Kyzylkum traces Lara Gelya’s path from Soviet Ukraine to the Kyzylkum Desert, through Europe, and ultimately to the United States. Along the way, she confronts loss, uncertainty, and the realities of starting over -revealing a deeply personal story of resilience and self-determination.
Told with honesty and quiet strength, the memoir offers rare insight into life behind the Iron Curtain and the courage it takes to pursue a new life in unfamiliar lands.
Literary Titan calls Camel from Kyzylkum ‘a testament to indomitable spirit.’
Diane Donovan says it ‘deserves attention not just from memoir readers, but armchair adventurers’.
Publishers Weekly review states ‘Throughout her gripping experiences, Gelya works to stay positive, reconciling herself to the sociocultural, political, and family happenings that punctuate her life.’
From the Soviet Union to America
Struggle, Hope, Family, Loss
Based on a True Story
Immigrant Spirit and Self – Determination
A Story in Motion
From page to screen – a journey unfolding.
Experience a glimpse into Lara’s story through the official trailer — a visual reflection of a life marked by movement, memory, and meaning. A narrative now reaching beyond the page, with hopes for a future film adaptation.
Lara truly believes that one day Camel from Kyzylkum will find a new life on screen, bringing its powerful journey of resilience, immigration, survival, and hope to audiences around the world.
Film adaptation, production, and media inquiries are welcome.
A story told is a life lived!
“The desert has always been a place on Earth that people have experienced in awe. They say that the desert is a living creature that can either accept a wanderer who has invaded its territory, or not accept that person at all. It depends
entirely on the nature and mood of both sides.”
– Lara Gelya
About the Author
Two lives. One journey.
Born in Ukraine during the Soviet era, Lara Gelya spent two decades working in the remote Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan before making the life-altering decision to leave everything behind.
In 1990, she arrived in the United States alone, carrying only two suitcases and the determination to begin again. What followed was a journey defined by resilience — learning a new language, rebuilding a life, and ultimately creating a future from nothing.
Now retired in Florida, Lara continues to explore the world through writing, travel, and storytelling — capturing the beauty and complexity of a life fully lived.
Recipient of multiple literary awards for her debut memoir Camel from Kyzylkum.
Every reader becomes part of the story. For press, collaborations, or personal reflections inspired by the memoir, please get in touch.
What Readers Are Saying
A story that stays with you.
When the COVID-19 pandemic cast darkness across the world and long-planned trips were canceled, Lara spent months writing the memoir of her life journey. When the book was finally published, Lara was overwhelmed by a range of emotions—elation, disbelief, pride, accomplishment, and panic—all arriving at once.
One of the most rewarding experiences for Lara is receiving messages from readers who share how deeply they connected with her story and how much they enjoyed the book. Your reviews and feedback are truly appreciated.
Stefan Angelina McElvain
Amazon Reader
‘Camel from Kyzylkum’ is a powerful memoir, tracing one person’s path from Soviet Ukraine, through the deserts of Uzbekistan, and finally to freedom in America. With honesty and heart the story captures the struggles of an immigration family discovering a new identity. It’s a moving reminder of what people endure to find a better life, and a voice that lingers long after the final page.
Mario E. Lombardo
Amazon Reader
Have just finished reading Lara Gelya’s remarkable memoir Camel from Kyzylkum. Buy it. Buy it to read how a persevering truth can conquer the many negative challenges in life. Ms. Gelya’s grit and grind represent the classic mantra – do it, don’t talk about it, do it, do whatever it takes. She overcame all odds and did it. Kudos.
Louis Zambrana
Amazon Reader
It’s like reading a movie. A cinematic experience in the mind as you read this powerful and touching journey filled with life’s ups and downs. Author Lara Gelya has written a piece of work to be proud of!
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Media, Hobbies & Updates
Interviews, visual stories, and moments captured along the journey.
Through interviews, film, photography, and personal reflections, Lara Gelya’s story continues beyond the memoir itself. This collection offers a closer look into the experiences, memories, and places that shaped Camel from Kyzylkum -bringing the journey to life through voice, image, and conversation.
Gallery
Photography and video storytelling have always been among Lara’s greatest passions—preserving meaningful moments, unforgettable places, and the beauty of life’s journey. Take a glimpse into a few of her stories from around the world.
YouTube Videos
Follow Lara’s travels, reflections, and visual storytelling through her personal video collection — capturing meaningful places, memories, and moments from around the world.
Interviews
From literary features to international interviews, Lara shares the inspiration behind her memoir, reflections on immigration and resilience, and the deeply personal experiences that shaped her extraordinary journey.
Author’s Voice
Articles and Updates.
Lara’s writing lives in the spaces between vastly different worlds—from the harsh, windswept horizons of the Kyzylkum Desert and the rich soil of Ukraine, to the sun-drenched landscapes of Florida. She writes to capture the texture of memory, the quiet dignity of survival, the amazing travels around the world, and the threads that connect us across continents and decades. Her voice is an anchor for the forgotten moments, translating a life of displacement into a tapestry of resilience, longing, and ultimately, belonging.
Lara Gelya –
From the period of time from 2000 to present we have traveled to the following countries:
Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Columbia, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Monaco, Croatia, Greece, Netherlands, Belgium, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Costa Rica, Egypt, Cuba, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands.
Pacific Northwest, American National Parks, Mackinac Island and Frankenmuth in Michigan, Lake Powell in Colorado, New Mexico state, Alaska, Death Valey in California, the Missippi river cruise were the most memorable trips inside the United States.
Traveling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.
Notes & Reflections
Beyond her memoir, Lara shares reflections on three defining chapters of her life: Ukraine, the Kyzylkum Desert, and the United States—places that shaped her journey, perspective, and identity.
Before the Journey Began: Ukraine
The Silence of the Kyzylkum Desert
Two Suitcases and a New Beginning
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Continue the Journey
Sign up to receive a bonus audio chapter! By signing up, you’ll also receive occasional updates, new writings, and reflections from Lara Gelya. Follow along as the journey continues — one story at a time.