Camel from Kyzylkum: A Memoir of My Life Journey

Camel from Kyzylkum is an intimate, deeply human memoir that traces one woman’s extraordinary journey from the heart of the Soviet Union to freedom in America. Born in Ukraine and shaped by the harsh, haunting beauty of Uzbekistan’s Kyzylkum Desert — “the Red Sand” — Lara Gelya’s story weaves together memories of resilience, family, loss, and hope during an era of profound upheaval.

Through vivid snapshots of daily life behind the Iron Curtain, Lara invites readers into a world where survival meant adapting to political oppression, harsh landscapes, and sudden dislocation. Her path takes her from the remote deserts of Central Asia, across Austria and Italy, and finally to a new life in the United States as a refugee pursuing dreams once thought impossible.

At its heart, Camel from Kyzylkum is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who choose to leave everything behind to find freedom — and a reminder of how the past shapes who we become, wherever we plant new roots.