Would just like to point out that you are correct that 6+ hours is a long time for a simple local transaction, but it is an amazing speed for an international transaction. Especially considering that the network is still in beta, was experiencing an attack, and that the fee paid was less than four cents.
This exactly. Also to be honest, 6+ hours is not long time even for 'simple local transaction' as most European countries still take one banking day even to transfer money inside the country if banks are different. I am Finnish and for example in Finland if you transfer from Bank 1 to Bank 2 (both banks operating in Finland) it will take 1-3 banking days. Regular SEPA transfer. In Finland we can only make instant transfers within the same bank.