When we were in China, we were fortunate enough to have a guide who talked to us about China's true history. He talked about being sent to farm labor camps because Mao was hell bent on paying the USSR back with interest and what a toll it took on the country.

I don't think life is any better or worse there than other places. We were surprised at how similar life was there to life here. You get up, go to work, do the best you can to support your family and care for them.