Author Profile
Books
Camel from Kyzylkum
Biographies & Memoirs
Camel from Kyzylkum is a memoir about the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of immigrating from the Soviet Union in the late twentieth century. It touches on the themes of hope, struggle, family, and loss, while highlighting the compelling desire for people to focus on freedom and self-determination. Readers will gain a better understanding of how much work and risk people will endure reaching for a better life.
Travel from Ukraine to the Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan, from the Soviet Union to Austria, then Italy, and eventually America, all while following the author’s journey to find her truth and future.
Book Bubbles from Camel from Kyzylkum
Exodus
There was a code world: "to leave." If you whispered it with a mysterious gravitas, there would be no need to ask further questions. To leave meant to flee once and for good. You knew well point of departure, but not necessarily your destination.
Chernobyl Disaster
I lived in the Soviet Union during the Chernobyl Disaster in April 26, 1986.
Three Special cities in the Kyzylkum Desert
There were three special cities in the Kyzylkum Desert--Navoi, Zarafshan, Uchkuduk...
Zarafshan in Uzbekistan
Zarafshan is a "gold-bearing" city in Uzbekistan.
On the Dnepr River in Ukraine
I got a job as a cook on the small service ship that was navigating up and down the river Dnepr...
Zarafshan
Zarafshan - the gold city in Uzbekistan.
Muruntau gold deposit
The Muruntau gold deposit in the Kyzylkum Desert is one of the largest individual gold deposits worldwide, it has been in operation since 1967.
Geological party #10
Working and living at Geological sites of the Kyzylkum Desert in Uzbekistan.
Kyzylkum Desert
Camel from Kyzylkum is a memoir about the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of immigrating from the Soviet Union in the late twentieth century. It touches on the themes of hope, struggle, family, and loss, while highlighting the compelling desire for people to focus on freedom and self-determination. Readers will gain a better understanding of how much work and risk people will endure reaching for a better life. Travel from Ukraine to the Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan, from the Soviet Union to Austria, then Italy, and eventually America, all while following the author’s journey to find her truth and future.
Camels in Kyzylkum Desert
"Camel from Kyzylkum" is an inspiring real-life story of a woman's pursuit of a better life against all odds. Lara Gelya provides a vivid account of her experiences as a Soviet Union immigrant who managed to overcome extraordinary challenges and struggles to finally find her dream home.
Preface
Camel from Kyzylkum is a memoir about the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of immigrating from the Soviet Union in the late twentieth century.
Secret bunker in Vinnitsa, Ukraine
Adolf Hitler's secret bunker during the World War II in Vinnitsa, Ukraine called the Wehrwolf.
