Well, I lost my flight and I couldn't reschedule it on time, so unfortunately to me (fortunately to the game though) I'll be able to play normally through these days.
I hope it stays like this too, glad to know you agree Koshling. But I wouldn't say expansionism goes on hold until monarchy. It's certainly slower, but with the right Happiness management there is a lot of room to expand beyond the 6th city. And there is Despotism too, but I'm still mor einclined to wait until Monarchy as well. Despotism doesn't seem a good option to me on this match.