I'd highly recomend C, BUT:
If you want to go easier learn c#. Why c# and not VB? Because it has more power in the end. And .Net is definately the future - Longhorn is almost 80% .Net.

But if you feel you must go VB, then at least use VB.Net and not VB 6.
You can get the express version of c# or VB.Net for free...