Thanks! I just bought the game several weeks ago. I really like it. I play at King level now and no real problems so far. Tradition rocks for a small number of cities. I don't know that you have to complete it though I always do. Your cities will grow fast. If you're encountering the same problem or worse, it's because your cities are growing very fast. Instead, think about having a bit fewer people in your cities and having 3 or 4 cities somewhat early on (preferably where there are horses less than 2-3 tiles away for circus and with as many NEW luxuries as possible). Building settlers will stop growth as well. Tradition will boost growth and happiness in your capital to make up for this... while your new cities won't be big enough to cause a happiness problem yet until you get to the point where you can build happiness buildings. Connect them for extra $$$. Also, your free monuments will again boost culture.
Sometimes, I also use a culture bomb to get luxuries from neighbouring tiles if there are any.
For your current game, do you have horses nearby? Can you buy those tiles. Get them into your trading network. And then build or buy a circus. +2. Are the Chichen Itza or Notre Dame already built?
