I was just in the UAE last week. Flickr is blocked there too and VoIP is not allowed in that country so I wasn't able to use Skype.
The online community is changing fast there but we can't expect it to happen overnight. As the technology in that country evolves, so will the legislation and telecom provisions.
It's painful! I'm currently in England and my bank statement is bleeding. Everything costs what I would expect it to cost in dollars but then when I look at my credit card statement or my account, it has cost me twice. A Starbucks coffee is around £3 but it actually costs me over $6! The dollar is absolutely pitiful right now. It is embarrassing as an American.
I just have to pretend a £ is a £ is a £ and forget that it is actually $2 or I'll just worry and be a cheapskate the whole trip. :)