Why not French?

So my niece in Middlebury Vermont is majoring in French.

This summer, she has to undergo a 7 weeks intensive French class. Took a pledge that committed her to speak, listen and write only in French. It has been painful, but oddly, in an enjoyable sort of way.I have been getting on Google Translate trying to communicate with her. I am not sure how to describe this feeling. Except that it is much like squeezing the juice out of a very small and dehydrated lemon. One thinks of France and the French somewhat like the fragrance of a lemon. It's refreshing, uplifting and listening to a french mother talk to a child, it's can almost be purifying.

I am therefore, tempted, very much so, to go French. ( Hold that thought).

To clarify,  I mean, in terms of learning the language. But I find myself holding back, Why? Well, all the dark murky stuff associated with French. Now, that thought you were holding, see my point? It's not good.
Then, there is Ddassh. The "ambassador" of French culture and way of life right here in this PIT. Do I want to invest time and energy in a language that can possibly bring me to a closer understanding of Ddash?? Do I really want to inflict myself with these much damages?

Wouldn't Spanish be a more logical choice? Afterall, I live in the South and lots of Mexicans around here and it's a happy language, representing more of it's fiesta culture. Why not Latin? It will help learn any western languages.

Would you learn French? Do you have a desire to soak yourself in the french culture?