Noob in need of a teacher/sensei

I saw some videos about AOEII Hd and that the community is still really big (10k players per day) And in my youth AOE 2 was one of my very first games which mich dad bought for me. I recently bought it during a Steam sale and want to get into it but im completely Lost. Which Civ should i try to become familiar with as a beginner? When to I tech up? I need to learn pretty much all the basics. If anyone is willing to help I´d really appreciate it. Either via Text or voice chat (I speak german as my mother tongue and English fluently, tho sometimes with a little problem on the TH)