More About Lara Gelya

Hello Dear Friends

My name is Lara Gelya and I’m the Author of my debut book “Camel from Kyzylkum.” Thank you for stopping by. March 15th is a very special date for me and I celebrate it every year since my arrival in the United States. It is a date that sharply divided my life in two – “life before” and “life after”. The two halves are so dramatically different that I called them “my first life” and “my second life”.

I was born in Ukraine at the time it was a part of the Soviet Union. On March 15, 1990, I stepped out of the airplane at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City with two suitcases and refugee status, alone, possessing nothing except hope for a better life.

What does being a refugee really mean? It means that you are forced from having a relatively normal life to having nothing; it means that you need to be prepared to overcome unimaginable challenges! The passage of a refugee doesn’t end when they arrive in a new country. I started my journey in the new land by learning English and working hard, accepting any menial job to survive. After a lot of schooling and learning, I finally got a professional job that, after almost 18 years, allowed me to retire and move to Florida. America proved to me that this is a Land of Opportunity! I learned that with determination and hard work, you can reach your dreams. Thank you, America-I’m forever grateful to you!

When Covid-19 paralyzed the country (and us), I reflected on my life and spent days and months writing a book about my life journey. Everyone has his/her own story. My life story is not perfect, with a lot of tears shed, battles lost, battles won, that’s okay. I thought it was time to share my life story with the World. There are some historical lessons and stories about life in the Soviet Union that you may not know about. Most of all, I hope my book helps everyone who reads it to never give up on their dreams and hopes! You can live your life in wonderful ways, no matter what challenges it throws at you. Just believe in yourself!

Camel from Kyzylkum is an award-winning memoir that chronicles the remarkable journey of immigrating from the Soviet Union during the late twentieth century. It delves into themes of hope, struggle, family, and loss, offering a profound exploration of the human spirit’s yearning for freedom and self-determination. Through the author’s compelling narrative, readers gain a deep insight into life within the Soviet Union and the immense sacrifices and risks individuals undertake in pursuit of a better life.

The memoir 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.
Camel from Kyzylkum is not just a memoir; it’s a transformative narrative that opens doors to unfamiliar worlds, encouraging readers to broaden their perspectives and empathize with the challenges and triumphs of others. It stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit and the universal quest for identity and belonging.

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