Originally aired on Tuesday, 07/11/2006 Written by BuddyTV Staff Columnist Episode Rating: ** (2 stars out of 5) Episode Overview: The REAL WORLD castmates are goin' to Spain!
Episode Highlights:

• The REAL WORLD house guests - having gotten the bad news that the Mystic Tan salon will not be re-opening - get the good news that they will be taking a trip to Spain.
• John makes the acquaintance of some friendly foreign girls.
• Everyone enjoys the mind-opening experience of foreign travel, with the exception of Svetlana, who seems both depressed and obsessed with trouble back home.

Recap: And they're off! Keeping with the tradition of most of The Real World seasons, the castmates get the happy news that they will be taking a trip to Spain. They pack their bags and are on a flight from the Keys to Europe. They arrive, and check into their cute Madrid hotel. Most of the gang is thrilled that Paula Maronek and Svetlana Shusterman will be staying on a separate floor. They don't really have issues with Paula, but everyone seems to continue to be irritated with the youngster, Svetlana. She's got bigger concerns, however, as she's engaged in a serious transatlantic argument with her boyfriend Martin. She's so upset by that and being ostracized by the group that she does not join them that evening out on the town. John Devenanzio, on the other hand, is having a much better time in Spain. He's met some German tourists, and is thrilled that - as he feels - his ignorance is much more passable in a foreign country. (He thinks they just expect it from an American.) He hits it off with one of the German women, and brings her back to the hotel for some cross-border canoodling. The next day, the group heads out to other parts of Spain and takes some guided tours. They also go to the Olympic stadium in Barcelona, which is a somewhat spiritual opportunity for Tyler Duckworth. He loves what the Olympics mean, not just for athletes but for mankind. Why does this sort of touchy-feely sentiment seem hollow coming from someone who maintains a "Burn Book" on one of his Real World castmates? Next, the group has the opportunity to learn Flamenco dancing from some locals. Svetlana is at first reluctant, but eventually joins in the group fun. It's not to last, though. That evening, she separates herself from the group again and heads back to the hotel alone. Paula, John and Zach Mann all discuss Svetlana's problems. Paula sees Svetlana as a younger version of herself, and wishes that Svetlana would seek treatment for what seems to be depression. Their conversation about Svetlana continues in the stairway at the hotel, and she listens in. Needless to say, she's not happy about being the major topic of a critical discussion. Unfortunately, despite all of the new stimulus surrounding them in a foreign country, apparently the personality flaws of a nineteen-year-old are the most fascinating thing around, as the castmates continue to talk about her the next morning at breakfast. Well, one hopes they'll see something to take their minds off of Svetlana as they continue their travels! We'll have to tune to The Real World next week to see if that happens.