Camel from Kyzylkum: A Memoir of My Life Journey

People often ask me:

--When did you decide to write your memoir?

--Did you always envision the camel as the central metaphor for your life journey, or did that symbolism emerge as you reflected on your experiences?

I had wanted to write about my life journey since 2000 — perhaps even earlier — but while I was working, there was never enough time. Still, I always knew what the title would be: Camel from Kyzylkum.

You see, I spent twenty years of my life working in the Kyzylkum Desert, observing camels up close. I arrived there at eighteen, just stepping into adulthood. So much happened to me in that vast and unforgiving landscape — experiences I endured, survived, and carried forward. The Kyzylkum Desert in Uzbekistan, became embedded in my soul; I have carried it with me ever since.

During the quiet, uncertain days of the pandemic, I found myself looking back and reflecting on the path that brought me here. That reflection became Camel from Kyzylkum — a memoir of loss, resilience, and the search for belonging.

So, to answer your question, the camel as the central metaphor for my life journey had been growing within me long before I began writing the memoir.

Author Website: laragelya.com

Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B09Y7GTZQS

Barnes & Noble: rb.gy/lz7rzg

Audio copy: