Some people are harshing on you for recommending Python because C is the unavoidable end-game in Unix. But I agree with the advice that Python is a great place to start.

Learn to write good Python. After that, learning to write good C will be much faster and easier and far less frustrating. Ultimately, on Unix you end up at C for at least some things (Python is implemented it C, after all). But these days, you can kick the can pretty darn far down the road before needing C.