Hatfield, you just made my day! Thanks for the awesome links. I have couple of viable alternatives for the trip.

cvmom, were you able to connect laptop using the Tmobile coverage outside of the US?

spdrun, thanks for the introduction about rooted device. I am not yet ready for such a solution. One of these days I will attempt this option on an older device to see if I can get a low cost hot spot for my in-laws place (who refuse to have any form of connected device except for the landline)

What else can I say – when my googling fails, piggington to the rescue. Thanks everyone.