Some background info first:
Goal: a medium-level complexity web app that I will need to maintain and possibly extend for a few years.
Experience: good knowledge of python, some experience of MVC frameworks (in PHP).
Desiderata: using django and google app engine.
I read extensively about the compatibility issues between GAE and Django, and I am aware of the GAE patch, the norel project, and other similar pieces of code. I have also understood that the SDK provides some of the features of django "out of the box".
Yet, given that I have no previous experience with neither Django nor GAE, I am unable to evaluate to which extent using a patched version of Django will strip away important features, or how far the framework provided in the SDK is compatible with Django. So I am rather confused on what would be the best way to proceed in my situation:
Should I simply use a patched version of Django as the differences with the original Django are so minor that I would hardly notice them?
Should I write my app completely in "regular django" and try to port it to GAE only afterwards, when I will have got a grasp on Django internals and philosophy?
Should I write my app using the framework provided with the SDK and port it to django only afterwards?
Should I... ?
Thank you in advance for your time and advice.