Friends
Now that I am sure something in the software is affecting the delay (because it got solved in 13.8), let me add to this the following:
The drop down list of favorites comes down immediately on clicking on the icon. BUT, there is a delay because you can select any folder (and that is the same delay it takes to exhibit the icons of the folders). The icon issue is not critical.
What is important is that I still have to wait for the possibility to click and get taken to that folder
Thank you