Greek Orthodox Church in a town called Sychar where Jacob's well is

Another week has gone by, another stinking hot week.  Did I say I'm going to miss fall?  The semester has definitely picked up to full speed.  I'm already stressing over mid-term papers, one of which is due today! So my time here is definitely going by quickly.  There are still a bunch of things I haven't done or seen in the Old City, including going on top of the temple mount! Man. 
This past weekend was our first free weekend with no field studies!  It was nice to be able to relax all day on saturday and get some homework done.  But actually there was a field study for my Ancient Israel class, that was on sunday.  It wasn't as long and intense as the Physical Settings field studies.  Last weekend I did not write about though.  We went to Samaria.  However, we were studying the OT, so we went to the land of Ephraim and Manasseh.  It was kind of disappointed because there was thick fog that blocked our what could have been amazing view from the top of Mt. Gerizim. We went there to read some of the story of Joshua, and we also shouted the blessings from there. (Josh. 8:33; Deut 11:29) So that was really awesome, but we couldn't see anything cuz of the fog.  On a clear day you can see from coast to coast. (Mediterranean Sea to Dead Sea) Basically you can see "all of Israel"
We then went to the Samaritan museum and listened to a Samaritan priest tell us about their history.  Its pretty interesting.  There are only like 800 real Samaritans left in the world, and they think they have the original copy of the Pentateuch, like..the one written by Moses himself.
We then went to Shiloh.  Again...nothing to see but great stories from the Old Testament.  This Holy Land is a land of rock! Just rocks everywhere. Its hot, dry, and rocky! but the Lord looks upon it with favor.

We also stopped at Jacob's well for a drink.  lol. No it was really cool.  Unlike some of the other historical sites, they are quite certain and everyone agrees on this spot being the well that Jesus met the Samaritan woman at.  There is a big Greek orthodox church build around the well and they allow visitors and tourists to come in, go downstairs, and even drink from the well.  The water was really good too.  Cold and refreshing.  Not quite the living water though. I wonder if that woman even ever gave Jesus a drink...? 

Shiloh.  Somewhere nearby here was the Tent of Meeting.  Here sat the Tabernacle and inside the Ark of the Covenant. This was God's home among the Israelites. Nice place to call home isn't it?

The Samaritan Pentateuch...thee original copy. Written by Moses himself. (obviously this isn't true)

Our View from the Alon Lookout...