Agreed. I just got back from my second trip to Damascus (the first time, I drove from Amman; this time, from Beirut), and, although it's run-down, it's really a remarkable city. I just wish that I had more time for the other sites in the country; next year hopefully.

Just a reminder, that with a Western passport, one needs a Syria visa in advance, and one can generally only get in one's country of residence. There have been reports of exceptions -- and the borders with both Jordan and Lebanon are chaotic places, where a bit of baksheesh can get you a long way -- but I wouldn't count on these.

If you can plan this, I would invest two days in Damascus as a side trip, as opposed to anywhere in Jordan besides Petra.