Dokkum

Tonight we moored the boats in Dokkum, a lovely little town that is my favorite place we've stopped thus far. It's full of charming cobblestone streets, cozy little shops and cafés, and has the unfortunate distinction of being the place where the Roman Catholic bishop Boniface was martyred in 754. He had hoped to convert the Frisians and did succeed in baptizing some. But when he entered Dokkum, he was met by a group of armed men who thought he had valuables with him, and you can guess how the story goes from there. I know that, historically, some of the church's methods of conversion have been controversial, to say the least. But nonetheless, I feel bad for the old bishop.

Dear Saint Boniface,

on behalf of my pagan

ancestors I do

sincerely apologize.